TO NAIMAN LAKE
THE TAKHI HORSE
The Mongolian wild horse is probably the most recognised and successful symbol of the preservation and protection of Mongolia's diverse and unique wildlife. The Takhi, also known as the Przewalski's horse, used the roam the countryside in great herds. In the 1960s they became nearly extinct after poachers killed them for meat and overgrazing by livestock as well as development reduced their fodder and breeding grounds. At the time, only about a dozen takhi remained, living in zoos over the world. After special breeding programmes the numbers of takhi outside of Mongolia increased to about 1000. In the early 1990s many takhi were reintroduced into specially protected areas in Khustain Nuruu and takhiin Tal (in the south Gobi). About 200 takhi now live in these parks or in the wild. They are successfully rearing their young and surviving the harsh winters.
