Oldest known Przewalski horse dies at 34
August 16, 2006
Fans of the endangered Przewalski horse are mourning the death of the oldest known member of the sub-species.
The mare, named Cilka, was euthanased at the Prague Zoo at the great age of 34.
A zoo official said the aged mare was suffering and the decision was the right one to make.
The Przewalski horse, or Takh, is native to the grasslands of central Asia. It has never been domesticated and is the national symbol of Mongolia.
It became extinct in the wild in the 1960s but a captive breeding programme has seen its numbers rise to about 2000. The rising numbers have allowed its supporters to release about 300 of the horses back into the wild to live in Mongolian national parks.
Earlier stories:
Przewalski's horse fighting back from extinction
DNA study sheds light on equine origins
Przewalski's Horses returning to natural habitat
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