gh REVIVAL OF THE PRZEVALSKY'S HORSE IN THE ORENBURG PROVINCE

The Przevalsky's horse was completely extirpated out by the end of the 60s of the 20th century, therefore, in the Soviet Union epoch the Przevalsky's horse preservation was one of the highest priorities in the work of the USSR Academy of Sciences. The scientists studied biology of the species and the horse rearing in Askaniya Nova preserve, Moscow Zoo and other zoological gardens of the country. Mongolia prepared the release of horses into the natural environment. To this end, the Soviet-Mongolian Expedition has selected the location to set up Hustain-Nuru preserve in the vicinity of Ulan-Bator, the pool of horses was collected from Askaniya Nova preserve and other locations, then the horses were removed by railway and let go into Hustain-Nuru preserve for semi-free maintenance. It was assumed that the effort would further continue in the future to release the horses into the expanse of the Gobi desert and Mongoplian Altai.

After the USSR disintegrated, Askaniya Nova's territory passed to the Ukraine, and Mongolia closed Russian scientists' access to the horses. Russia has been deprived of its Przevalsky's horses, and the priority program was cut down.

However, the Institute of Steppe (Orenburg) and Institute of Ecology and Evolution Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow), have recommenced the research in joint effort. In the Orenburg Province, in the area of historical wild horses' natural habitat, the researchers found spacious flat country with rich variety of the steppe motley grass, which fits for setting up a vast Center for semi-free maintenance of Przevalsky's horses. The negotiations on purchasing Przevalsky's horses have been already held with Askaniya Nova preserve, Prague Zoo, Moscow Zoo and other Horse Centers, the lands for the future Center being registered as the property of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

However, there are some challengers related to the construction of the Center, such as fencing the territory in, construction of internal partitions, transportation of horses from the Ukraine, Czech, etc. All that requires substantial funding to be sought.

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