In a huge breakthrough for the survival of an endangered species,
the first Przewalski’s Horse to be born via artificial insemination was
delivered at the National Zoo's Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) on July 27.  

Photo Credit:  Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

SCBI reproductive physiologist Budhan Pukazhenthi and the
Przewalski’s Horse husbandry team spent seven years working closely with
experts at The Wilds and Auburn University in Alabama to perfect the technique
of assisted breeding. Both the filly and the first-time mother Anne are in good
health and bonding.

“It seems reasonable to assume that reproduction for the
Przewalski’s Horse would be similar to domestic Horses, but it simply isn’t the
case,” said Pukazhenthi. “This is a major accomplishment, and we hope our
success will stimulate more interest in studying and conserving endangered
equids around the world.” 

Anne was born at SCBI and is the daughter of a mare imported
from Europe and the most genetically valuable stallion in the U.S. The filly’s
father Agi also lives at SCBI. The Przewalski’s Horse is considered the last
wild Horse on the planet, although it is often mistaken for a breed of domestic
Horse, the Norwegian Fjord. Little is known about wild equids despite the
extensive knowledge of domestic Horses.

Read more and see additional photos below the fold.

The usefulness of artificial insemination is that it does
not require both animals to be together for a successful mating. The
transport of animals to different locations can be difficult, dangerous, costly
and potentially stressful to the individual. By contrast, the collection of
semen can be safely accomplished under the supervision of veterinary staff and
significantly improves the efficiency of managing small populations of
endangered species. The birth of Anne and Agi’s filly required hormonal
treatments for inducing ovulation in a mare, specialized animal-handling
facilities, conditioning Anne to provide urine samples for hormone monitoring
and routine ultrasounds. This accomplishment validates the importance of
integrating animal management in the research and development of assisted
reproductive technologies for endangered species.

Using ultrasound technology, Pukazhenthi confirmed the
pregnancy about 35 days after the insemination. The mare’s pregnancy was
monitored closely for 11 months measuring urinary hormone levels and visual
keys (such as her growing belly).

“Anne is a young, first-time mother,” said Dolores Reed,
supervisory biologist at SCBI. “She had a normal pregnancy that lasted 340 days
and the foaling lasted less than 10 minutes. I’ve raised a lot of foals and
other hoofed stock over the years, but this filly feels like an extra-special
triumph for us and her species.”

The Przewalski’s Horse is a species native to China and
Mongolia that was declared extinct in the wild in 1969. Today, approximately
1,500 Przewalski’s Horses reside at zoological institutions worldwide, carrying
genes from only 14 original animals. Due to hunting, harsh climate, loss of
habitat and loss of water sources, fewer than 500 of this species are left in
the wild. Currently, most live in Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan. SCBI
scientists are working in remote areas of China using radio collars and
Geographic Information System technology to map the movements of these Horses,
which were reintroduced by Chinese colleagues into their former habitat.

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute is located in
Front Royal, Virginia and is dedicated solely to the breeding of rare and
endangered species.  It is not open to
the public.