Following the Pages of the Red Book of Russia: The Przewalski’s Horse

Abstract

The Przewalski’s horse (Equus przewalskii Poljakov, 1881) is one of 13 species included in the List of Rare and Endangered Wildlife that require priority measures for restoration and reintroduction. The species is listed on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is the last surviving species from a group of once numerous and diverse wild horses of Eurasia. Being of great interest to world science, the history of the discovery of the Przewalski’s horse, its description, systematics, other features of biology, issues of restoration, reintroduction deserve the special attention of researchers from both the former Soviet Union and pre-revolutionary and modern Russia, who stood at the origins of conservation of this species. The experience gained by the specialists of our country in the implementation of a number of international projects on the reintroduction of the Przewalski’s horse and the restoration of its natural populations served as the basis for the preparation of programs for the creation of breeding centers and the formation of its semi-free populations, which are implemented, first of all, on the territory of the Orenburgsky State Nature Reserve. A long-term strategy that has transparent mechanisms for coordination and interaction of all organizations involved in its implementation and provides for evidence-based approaches using modern research methods in its implementation will contribute to the successful implementation of the Program for the Restoration of the Przewalski’s Horse in the Russian Federation approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia on April 8, 2022.