The fastest transportation of Przewalski´s horses to Mongolia so far

So far the fastest transportation of Przewalski´s Horses to Mongolia took less than 33 hours. After a 17-hour-long flight, the 200 km long overland transport to Gobi B National Park followed. Photo: Petr Josek, Prague Zoo

"The whole journey from taking off at the Kbely Airport to releasing the horses in Takhin Tal took 24 hours and 10 minutes. From the start of the loading of the horses in Horní Dobřejov to their delivery, it was less than 33 hours. It is by far the fastest transportation of Przewalski´s Horses we have ever managed," said Miroslav Bobek, the Director of Prague Zoo. "Everything went almost perfectly: starting with the swift paperwork in Kazan, Novosibirsk and Bulgan Sum, and ending with their smooth overland transportation."

The CASA aircraft landed in Mongolia according to plan at 8:25 am in Prague, respectively 1:25 pm local time. The overland transport to the Gobi B National park crossed nearly 200 km. All three mares - Gretel, Bayan and Ulla - dealt with the journey without any complications and ran out of the transport crates in good health.

"It happened after 3 pm Prague time, which in Mongolia was shortly before sunset. In previous transports to Takhin Tal, we had released the mares late at night," Miroslav Bobek added, describing this year´s success.

During following months the mares will stay in an acclimatization enclosure, where they can become accustomed to the Mongolian climate. After the first winter they will be released to the wild.

Prague Zoo has been undertaking the transportation of Przewalski´s Horses in cooperation with the Czech Army within the project "Return of the Wild Horses" since 2011; altogether it has transported 15 horses. The Zoo has contributed to the preservation of these endangered animals for decades.

The reintroduction of Przewalski´s horses is realized in cooperation with ITG (International Takhi Group) and supported by many partners and sponsors. The City Hall of Prague is together with the Czech Army a traditional long term supporter. This year also other institutions and companies contributed to the transportation, these were the Ministry of Environment of Czech Republic, Komerční Banka, Domaine des Grottes de Han (Belgium), Kölner Zoo (Germany), Hortobágy National Park (Hungary) and Gaia Zoo Kerkrade (Netherland).