The Przewalski Horse Newsletter

The Przewalski Horse
Newsletter
JANUARY 2006
THE TAKHI IN HUSTAI NATIONAL PARK
foals were stillborn and others died
after the weather had abruptly
changed into a menacing ice cold
At seven in the morning it is still
Przewalski horses or in Mongolian
with gales. During the foaling seas-
crisp when we go up the mountain
takhi. This is a seven per cent in-
on the wild horse community is in
looking for Przewalski horses. It is
crease as compared with December
turmoil: mares are in heat and the
summer and we went out of bed
31st 2004, a small growth compa-
stallions are busy siring them and
early. Early in the morning and late
red to last year.
chasing away bachelors. At the
in the afternoon the harems will
It was hard luck in 2005: only eleven
moment some 35 bachelors stal-
leave the mountain pastures for the
of the 41 new-borns survived.
lions prowl around the fifteen
low-lying grounds of the Bayangiin
Wolves killed 29% of them, some
harems. The mares tend to keep the
stream. Here they quench their
thirst and graze upon the succulent
The condition of the takhi was still
good towards the winter. Photo P. Wit
foals away at a safe distance from
the clashes between the stallions.
grass that flourishes along the
stream. We are in luck, for we spot
three harems and some bachelor
stallions. While his mares imperturbably go along, one of the harem
leaders approaches with arched
neck the oldest of the bachelor. The
two rivals spin around each other,
stamping their hoofs on the ground.
bachelor is chased away and the
harem stallion rejoins his mares.
We are not the only ones that enjoy
this breath-taking spectacle, because more than 6,000 people from
abroad and again some hundreds of
Mongolians already visited beautiful
Hustai Nuruu this year. At present
there
are
170
freely
roaming
M e e t t h e P r z e w a l s k i H o r s e o n t h e i n t e r n e t : h t t p : / / w w w. t r e e m a i l . n l / t a k h
Przewalski Horse January 2006
After a few kicks and screams the
1
Just then they are exposing their
The staff will continue these vigilan-
others were born in the wild.
offspring to an attack by wolves.
ce’s during the foaling season as
The arrival of 1992, proud Patron,
Rangers and volunteers team follow
long as the population remains rela-
lost his mares to a younger stallion.
the harems at night to scare the wol-
tively small. They receive much help
He now solitary roams about in the
ves. Wolves are afraid of people.
in this from a growing number of
Park. The at a much earlier stage
They found out that the bachelors
herdsmen. The overall co-operation
dethroned Ares was the source of
much upheaval this year. He had
taken up a fancy towards the
Rangers and volunteers team follow the harems
at night to scare the wolves.
geldings that are used as ridinghorses by the tourists. They normally graze on the fields around the
tourist camp, but now Ares threw
also caused much unrest at night.
with the local herdsman community
himself up as their leader, driving
Two mares died still carrying a lif-
is strengthening, as is their involve-
them off to a place where it was
eless foetus. Stress might have been
ment with the takhi.
impossible to find or approach the
cause of the foals' death. When it
riding horses when the tourists
winds up in a wrong position, the
Of the harem stallions that were
mare can not release it from the
born in captivity only three remain,
womb in time.
Tamir, Bayanhangai and Tom; all the
AN OLD TRADITION REVIVED:
HERDSMEN’S THREATENED LIVESTOCK
WATCHED OVER BY TRAINED SHEEPDOGS
need them. •
Netherlands
was
prepared
to
commit € 15,000 to the project.
Meanwhile the preparations are well
underway. In an informative meeting
It is not allowed to hunt wolves in
custom from oblivion. In former
with the herdsmen a documentary
Hustai National Park; these are
days the sheep and goats were
about a similar Canadian project
regarded an important factor in the
protected
by
was shown. In any case the dog
preservation of the natural eco-
specially trained dogs, more specifi-
must not intimidate or rouse the
system of this mountainous forest-
cally
the
sheep. He has to be of a friendly dis-
steppe area.
so-called four-eyed dog. An initial
position and only when they are
However, herdsmen living near the
group of herdsmen immediately
threatened he is allowed to act
national park look upon them with
showed great sympathy towards
aggressively.
great
this idea. A project proposal was
Together with the herdsmen the
devised
leaders of the project went in search
suspicion.
According
a
survey carried out in Hustai about
50% up to 65% of the wolves' diet
consists of domestic horses, sheep
and goats. In the two-years-period
Przewalski Horse January 2006
2003
2
2004
typical
and
'gartz',
presented.
WNF-
Mongolian dogs have light coloured
spots above the eyes, which gives
the impression of having four
eyes instead of two. Photo: R. Henkens
of
suitable
true-bred
gartz.
Apparently these were hard to find
in the area around Hustai: most
herdsmen
were mongrels, aggressive and thus
unsuitable for breeding. In the end a
had in the three years between 1994
foursome of bitches was bought and
and 1997. Presumably the number
after paying a small allowance other
of wolves is on the increase.
people were ready to lend the pro-
Conflicts with the often very poor
ject their own four male dogs. The
herdsmen are undesirable, so a
purpose is to set up a variety of
solution had to be found.
bloodlines.
Dutch
the
the
wolves
suffered greater losses than they
Three
and
against
Grietje
Just outside Hustai National Park a
Lenstra, Hans Hovens and René
biologists,
small breeding centre was built. A
Henkens - all formely active in
staff employee takes care of the
Hustai - suggested to rescue an old
dogs. The pups are weant after
M e e t t h e P r z e w a l s k i H o r s e o n t h e i n t e r n e t : h t t p : / / w w w. t r e e m a i l . n l / t a k h
seven weeks. Ten herdsman families
overall method does not differ much
showed themselves willing to raise
from the traditional one. Only the
the first pups. At first they are
Mongolians tend to take their dog
permanently, day and night, kept in
along with the herd at a much earlier
a small kennel with a few friendly
stage. It was striking that in the
goats and sheep near the felt tent or
selection phase so much underfed
The newly built breeding station.
Photo: R. Henkens
In any case the dog must not intimidate or rouse the sheep.
ger. During this first receptive stage
dogs were found. The trainer must
ject surely has resulted in much
in life they must build upon strong
check if the dogs are being well fed.
goodwill among the herdsman com-
bonds with the animals they will
munity near Hustai National Park. •
later on have to protect.
At Hustai the dogs get vaccinated to
A Mr Chuluunbaatar, who has been
protect them against disease.
involved in the training of Gartz for
In how far the deployment of gartz
twenty years, instructs the herds-
can really reduce the damage done
men how to train the dogs. The
by wolves is uncertain. Yet, this pro-
SENSIBLE STEPPE MANAGEMENT:
BEST FOR MAN AND ENVIRONMENT
Due to overgrazing and a want
of co-ordination the grasslands
around Hustai suffered much in
The Mongolians sing in all keys of
The steppe marmot or tarbagan
quality and quantity. After the end
the beauty of their land. Many of
seems to await an equal fate; elsew-
of
these songs seem to be inspired by
here in Mongolia they are poached
communities were dismantled and
Hustai National Park, for here deer
and hunted for their succulent flesh
livestock privatized. From then on
and wild horses graze upon the
and costly fell, but fortunately there
each herdsman did what he liked,
grassy mountain slopes on the ever
are still some 20,000 of them in
without taking in account the com-
rolling steppe. Almost no sound is
Hustai. Only here tourists and other
mon interest. However, in the mean
to be heard, beside the high-pitched
visitors can enjoy these two and
time they have learnt that this
shrieks of the steppe marmots,
other interesting wildlife species in
anarchy will certainly lead to the
some distant bird calls and the chir-
total freedom.
destruction of their sole source of
rups of locusts and cicadas.
communism
the
herdsman
In 2005 Hustai National Park was
In this 380,000 ha large buffer zone
The growing season for grass in
again chosen the most effectively
area around the Park the 350 herds-
Mongolia lasts from Mid May to
protected
Mongolia.
man families, 150 of which are from
Mid August, which is rather short.
Nowadays it rarely happens that
park
elsewhere in Mongolia, put their
In the past few years the empty
unattended livestock goes astray
stamp on the daily life in the steppe.
abandoned summer pastures had
inside the protected area. Poachers
Some 100 nomad families feed their
hardly chance to recover. Migrating
and clandestine hunters are effec-
livestock in the immediate vicinity
herdsman families from other pro-
tively dealt with, which is important
of Hustai National Park. The Park's
vinces, eager to sell their wool,
because the number of marals
staff knows them all by name and
skins, meat and dairy-products on
(Mongolian red deer) has decreased
meets them regularly. For their exis-
the markets of Ulaanbaatar, began
from
160,000
of
ten
tence they still depend - like their
to settle on the winter grounds.
years ago to a mere 5,000 today.
specimens
forefathers - on the natural environ-
The effects of overgrazing did not
Therefore, the 300 to 400 marals
ment. They guide their animals all
hold off. The local herdsmen saw
that are around in Hustai have beco-
over the steppe in search of water
their livestock diminishing, fewer
me a key factor in the preservation
and suitable winter or summer
young were born, the animals'
of the entire species in the country.
pastures.
condition deteriorated rendering
M e e t t h e P r z e w a l s k i H o r s e o n t h e i n t e r n e t : h t t p : / / w w w. t r e e m a i l . n l / t a k h
Przewalski Horse January 2006
income, the steppe.
3
them more susceptible to calamities.
being subsidized by the Dutch
At present the number of livestock
In the very bad winter of 2001 most
Ministry of International Co-opera-
surpasses
families lost 50% if not 100% of their
tion. The herdsmen as well as the
steppe in the buffer zone. This has
animals. In 1999 each family pos-
local authorities are very enthusias-
consequences for Hustai. At its bor-
sessed an average of only 260 ani-
tic and the overall progressive deve-
ders livestock pressure is intensi-
mals, instead of the 350 to 400,
lopments made the Netherlands
fying, feeding the urge to find other
which is regarded the necessary
decide to prolong their financial
means of income for the herdsmen
minimum.
assistance with three years more.
and their families.
From this can be concluded that half
The final responsibility rests with
of the herdsman community around
the Hustai National Park Trust.
Hustai is poor or even totally redu-
the
capacity
of
the
The buffer zone project actively furthers the development of tourist acti-
ced to pauperism. Steadily there was
What has already been achieved?
vity from which the local herdsman
a growing sense that something had
The herdsmen have joined themsel-
groups will directly profit. Tourists
to happen.
ves in so-called khot aïls, traditional
eager to get a taste of real steppe
groups of four to six households
life, ready to get acquainted with
FRPH board member and former
that manage their collective live-
herdsman traditions and customs,
international project leader Piet Wit,
stock as one indivisible unit. Each
are offered the chance to join up
the staff of Hustai National Park and
khot aïl has its own winter pasture,
with a typical herdsman family near
the Buffer Zone Council, in which all
shelters in case of ice rains or seve-
Hustai National Park. The first
groups that live around Hustai are
represented, sat around the table to
come up with a plan to help the local
herdsmen helping to save the steppe. Spearheads of the project, that
The project staff helps them through advice, training
and by giving low interest credit.
reconciles with customs and traditions of the people on the steppe,
are the construction, implementa-
re gales and stack of surplus hay. It
results are promising.
tion of sustainable pasture manage-
is the intention that the different
Not only the new is being explored,
ment and also the tapping of other
khot aïls will meet on regular basis,
valuable traditions are also being
sources of income. The project,
co-ordinate the daily control of live-
revived. For instance, the otor,
which is already in its second year, is
stock and maintain the water pumps
which is the practice of seasonally
and sources in their region.
farming out selective horses to
Some khot aïls are already active,
experienced drovers, who lead them
others are yet in the phase of forma-
into grassier pastures in other
tion. The active ones come with own
regions; this in accordance with the
initiatives to explore alternative
authorities of those regions.
The craft of felt making has now
been revived. This woman proudly
shows what she made for sale.
Photo: P. Wit
out of the existing.
The situation at present causes its
Each group has its own financial
own
reserve to which every family contri-
Pasture control by and for the local
butes. The project staff helps them
herdsmen only makes sense if they
through advice, training and by
can fully monopolise the use of cer-
giving low interest credit.
tain summer and winter pastures. It
Przewalski Horse January 2006
sources of income and to get more
The new efficiency allows alterna-
must be avoided that strangers from
ting members of the group to dis-
other provinces will misappropriate
pend from daily routine to explore
the winter pastures by means of
new ideas. In this way old skills such
payments to the municipal adminis-
as the making and processing of felt
tration. It is most important that the
were revived. The souvenir shop of
locals learn to make problems nego-
Hustai National Park sells beautiful
tiable, to solve them and to manage
tapestries and traditionally orna-
conflicts. The buffer zone project
mented horse-cloths.
teaches them how. It is plain to assu-
4
M e e t t h e P r z e w a l s k i H o r s e o n t h e i n t e r n e t : h t t p : / / w w w. t r e e m a i l . n l / t a k h
contemporary
problems.
me that such processes will need
many years of intensive coaching
Since they have been cooperating in
herdsmen groups, young herdsmen
have more confidence in their future
You perhaps may wonder what the
connection of all this is with the pre-
before sustainable result is reached.
servation of Przewalski horse in
The most positive about the new
Hustai National Park? Well, accor-
relations are the members of the
ding to our experience the protec-
well running khot aïls. In the old
tion of Hustai National Park and thus
days the families were ignorant of
the preservation of its Przewalski
each
another,
horses can only be fully implemen-
now they engage themselves in thri-
ted through the involvement and co-
ving social interaction.
operation of local people. Their loyalty towards the Park will grow
It is not only the herdsman popula-
stronger if they also derive benefit
tion that profit by the project.
from its activities. Here the herds-
Thanks to loans supplied through
men are offered a helping hand in
the Buffer Zone Credit Fund village
the development of a sound and
women are able to set up small
sustainable
roadside caffs or 'guanz' and thus
of the steppe and water sources.
bringing some economical relief to
This is not only of vital importance
these poor villages. All along the tar-
for the nomads, but also contributes
mac road north of the national park
to
and south of the villages Argalant
steppe
and Bayankhangai women are run-
National Park. •
ning these 'guanz'.
them with sufficient elbow-room to
Their children will be minded at a
carry out their work. The kitchen
brick day care centre, which is cur-
garden course is also very popular
rently under construction, leaving
among the villagers.
THE PRZEWALSKI STALLIONS AT
THE GOUDPLAAT
the
use
preservation
ecosystem
of
and
the
Hustai
grass is noticeably coming up. Yet
there will be not enough grass for
the horses to pass winter. Extra fee-
Already more than two years have
The characteristic-grazing pattern of
gone by since the Day of the
the horses provides varied terrain in
Contributor was held in Zealand, in
which stubbly grazed areas alterna-
There are only five stallions left now.
which a walk through the Goudplaat
te with brushes of tall grasses and
Last
semireserve was included. Much has
bushes. Therefore, the SBB proposed
changed there in 2005. In December
to reduce the area of the Przewalski
the Dutch Foresty Department (SBB),
horses. To that end part of the
the owner of the area, invited the
Goudplaat had to be fenced in,
Foundation to discuss the future of
leaving the remainder open for the
the Goudplaat and the role of the
general public and for the Galloways
Przewalski stallions in this. The thir-
that also help keeping the area
ty-six ha large nature reserve is
open. Last Spring the various pro-
steadily closing and the few stal-
ceedings were started. A high fence
lions left are hardly able to stop the
was put up around a 15 ha large
proceeding forestation. In the past
area and a new watering-place was
few years the practice of frequent
dug. Clearing has made the entire
mowing was abandoned and also
fenced-in terrain accessible for the
the number of stallions decreased.
horses. Large parties of bushes have
The Forestry intends to keep the
disappeared. The bushes were twice
Goudplaat open as a bird sanctuary.
cleared, thanks to which the new
ding is still necessary.
Spring
seventeen-years-old
M e e t t h e P r z e w a l s k i H o r s e o n t h e i n t e r n e t : h t t p : / / w w w. t r e e m a i l . n l / t a k h
Przewalski Horse January 2006
After the construction of the new fence
was finished everything went soon back
to normal at the Goudplaat.
5
Maran died. He suffered from chro-
the vet it was decided to euthanise
good condition. They adapt them-
nic navicular disease and his walk
him. The remaining ones, Ireg,
selves very well to their restructured
became bad and worse. Apparently,
Almas,
habitat. •
he was in pain and after consulting
Burchanbileg are facing winter in
Usch,
Amarkhan
and
PRZEWALSKI'S IN THE PUSZTA
respecting considerable distances
between them. As to that the harem
May 2005. While the whole continent
served for the first time when they
stallions were the most alert during
seems to be soaking wet, we're on
are still yearlings. At the age of two
springtime. However, from 2004
our way to Hungary. At last we will
they will have their first foals. In this
onward the pattern started to change
see the Przewalski horses of the
they are much younger than the wild-
for the remaining seasons. Now the
Pentazug in the Hortobagy National
born Przewalski mares of Hustai
different groups began to mix, even
Park. After a nice cup-o'-coffee at the
National Park: only 19% and 67% will
in summer. The tolerance that exists
local Csardas in Hortobagy village we
give birth at the ages of three and
between the harem stallions seems
get in the jeep. Biologist Viola has the
four.
to be based on a mutual understan-
knack of steering the vehicle over the
ding of each other's strength. Above
wet and slippery steppe.
Although completely treeless, apart
that, most of the bachelors are still
Waltraut Zimmermann from Cologne
from some stray shrubs, the puszta
young, so it is yet unlikely for them
Zoo guides us. She begins to tell us in
still manages to render the beholder
to form a threat to the harem leaders.
detail about the 2400 ha large area
with a variegated visual spectacle:
When young mares disperse from the
and the Przewalski horses that live
the different species of grass build up
fatherly group, they will seek alliance
here. Although the terrain is flat, the
tall grass makes it difficult to find out
where the Przewalski horses are.
Then we spot the first Przewalski’s.
It is the stallion group, standing in
When young mares disperse from the fatherly group,
they will seek alliance with a stallion from the bachelors.
In this way new groups will form.
the wind on a sandy hill, trying to
avoid the menace that insects are.
There are more than 50 Przewalski
a rich mosaic of greens and browns.
with a stallion from the bachelors. In
horse, divided over five harems and
In order to maintain this heterogenei-
this way new groups will form. As the
the bachelor group we are looking
ty Heck cows were introduced. They
bachelor group is growing in number
for. Three of the harem stallions were
cover the whole area. The Przewalski
and maturity there will be a chance of
born in the Pentazug.
groups spread themselves to a much
violent harem take-overs happening.
Leaving the bachelors the grunting
lesser extend. During the first years
jeep splutters through the slough
following the start of the project in
Nobody is allowed to enter the
towards the home range of Moros
1998 the initially released groups
Pentazug area itself. To give the
and his harem. Here Csilla had her
had their own home ranges, while
many people that visit the National
first foal last April. The story of her
Przewalski Horse January 2006
life is a quite remarkable one. She
6
Przewalski horses on the Hungarian
steppe; a feast for the eye
Park an impression of the former
wildlife, a special area will be reser-
lost her mother when she was yet
ved as wild park. Here on a wide
two-and-a-half months old. Her father
stretch of grassland some Przewalski
Makan took pity on the vulnerable
horses from zoos will be shown.
half-orphan; he protected and cared
The Przewalski horse project is
for her. Through supplementary
maintained by the staff of Hortobagy
rations of oat she got a sufficient
National Park in close collaboration
intake of proteins. Now she has
with Cologne Zoo.
grown into a healthy adult, and, con-
The
sidering her own bad start in life, she
Mr Sandor Istvan (Nature Society
appears to carry her own mother-
of Hortobagy, Czinege J.u, 4071
hood with no difficulty whatsoever.
Hortobagy, Hungary). •
Hungarian
supervisor
Here in Pentazug most mares will be
M e e t t h e P r z e w a l s k i H o r s e o n t h e i n t e r n e t : h t t p : / / w w w. t r e e m a i l . n l / t a k h
is
coming to Hustai National Park.
data were hold up to the light again.
At the end of October the director
The biologist from Germany, whose
Visitors from Mongolia
of Hustai National Park, Prof. Dr.
expenses were paid for by the
In 2005 the Foundation was the host
N. Bandi, and the Mongolian leader
Foundation, will also write, at
of a number of Hustai National Park
of the Buffer Zone Project, Mr Uuld,
the Foundation’s request, manuals
staff members. In Spring, the head
arrived. They also visited a variety
for the research staff and for
of biological research, Enkhkhuyag,
of Dutch nature parks.
the ecovolunteers. This will help the
was invited to the Netherlands and
The continuity of the project was
ecovolunteers to get a better under-
Germany. His visit was sponsored by
discussed with a variety of experts,
standing of what is to be expected
the Foundation. In Cologne Zoo he
politicians and the Board of the
of them, get them involved in the
got the opportunity to acquaint
Foundation.
research activities much quicker and
himself with SPARKS, a computer
data
base
system,
with
which
also bring about more efficiency in
Ecovolunteers at work in Hustai
the processing of the acquired
various aspects of Przewalski horse
National Park
field data.
population dynamics can easily be
In 2005 forty people from outside
analysed. The help he received from
Mongolia voluntarily contributed to
Reintroducing Przewalsi horses
Dr
the
into the Kalameili Nature
Waltraut
Zimmermann
and
research
of
the
free-living
Dr Lydia Kolter was of great value.
Przewalski horses. These ecovolun-
Reserve in China
In the Netherlands much work was
teers find gratification in working
Three years ago we informed you
done in preparation of the book on
for a good cause during their holi-
about a reintroduction project in the
the reintroduction of the Przewalski
days. Of course, Hustai's staff is
Kalameili
horses and the development of
happy to receive these people: their
The
Hustai National Park. This book,
collective field observations contri-
27 Przewalski horses; it was a
which is being written in close colla-
bute to a greater understanding of
short-lived adventure. Some of the
boration with the Mongolian staff, is
Przewalski horse habitat use and
horses could not cope with the
due to be published in Spring 2006.
distribution. Most ecovolunteers are
biting cold and the high layer of
Enkhkhuyag's visit was also a good
equally pleased with their stay and
snow. It was impossible for the stal-
opportunity to strengthen the rela-
the hospitality of the Mongolian
lion to defend the whole of his over-
tions with the universities of Utrecht
people.
crowding harem. A number of
and Wageningen. In the latter the
Nevertheless, difficulties are due to
Przewalski horses chose to join up
current activities regarding the wolf
occur from time to time. The
with the domestic livestock of the
research and in Utrecht the results
of Marja van Staalduinen's completed Ph D study on the influence
of small grazers on the vegetation of
the mountain steppe area were
discussed.
Mr Toghtoghsuren, who came to
reserve
Chinese
in
Xinjiang.
initially
released
nomads. The Chinese managed to
Most ecovolunteers are
equally pleased with their
stay and the hospitality of
the Mongolian people.
visit us in the autumn, leads the pro-
catch the remaining horses and to
bring them over to the Jimsar breeding station near Urumchi. At present over 170 Przewalski horses are
kept within the boundaries of the
centre. These are the descendants of
the in total 18 Przewalski horses
tection staff of the National Park.
Mongolian mentality differs in many
that were imported from American
Therefore, he was especially interes-
aspects much from what one is used
and European zoos between 1985
ted in the working methods of
to at home. People from the West
and 1991.
various nature reserves in the
appreciate tight working schemes:
Netherlands,
the
they will mind the - in their concep-
The good news is that a second
Biesbosch. For Mr Toghtoghsuren
tion - local inefficiency or even miss
attempt to release Przewalski horses
and for Mt Enkhkhuyag it had been
such tight working scheme.
is in the making. Having learnt from
their first acquaintance with Europe
This summer Franziska Roth arrived
their mistakes the Chinese are deter-
and European culture. Knowledge
in Hustai to train the Mongolian staff
mined to do things right this time.
about western culture and mentality
how to supervise the research
To that end they did call in the help
will help them to better adjust to the
activities
ecovolunteers.
of Dr. Waltraut Zimmermann of
expectations of the many interna-
The research program and the pro-
Cologne Zoo. In October 2004 she
tional
cessing/analysing of the collected
visited Jimsar and the 1.7 million
visitors
for
instance
and
researchers
of
the
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Przewalski Horse January 2006
NEWS
7
NEWS
Jochen repairs the electric fences
for the acclimatisation areas at
Hustai National Park
domestic horses and to control the
risks of overgrazing. A biologist
large Kalameili reserve some 200
from
kms further on. Since then there has
Chinese team.
been no delay. On September 6th
In the mean time some Chinese
2005 four stallions were flown over
visited Hustai National Park on
to Urumchi from the European zoos;
recommendation of Dr Zimmer-
they bring new blood into the Jimsar
mann. There the Jimsar staff got
population. Next year the USA
a good insight in the working
Germany
will
coach
the
method of the Przewalski reintro-
The good news is that
a second attempt to release
Przewalski horses is in
the making.
duction process.
In memory of Jochen Haucke
Jochen
authorities. The first group could be
Haucke (67), the caretaker of the
released into the 67 ha area in 1991.
Przewalski
semireserve
Jochen turned out to be a conscien-
Sprakel (Meppen, Germany) passed
tious caretaker. Together we went
away. He will most and for all be
through many thrilling moments:
will also contribute four stallions.
missed by the ones that stood clos-
the release, the integration of the
In Kalameili a 4 km2 terrain of proper
est to him, his family. At the
group, the capture and transport to
conditions was found: good vegeta-
Foundation, the news of his illness
Nature Park Lelystad, the assembly
tion and less snowfall. Next year the
and decease came in as a shock.
point for the transport to Hustai
Przewalski horses will be released
Jochen was a true horseman. When
National Park, Mongolia. The ultima-
here for acclimatisation. A deal was
in 1988 the minister of agriculture
te moment was in 2000 when he
made with the nomads to stay away
of Lower Saxony, Ritz, agreed with
was
from
area.
the plan to transform one of the
Przewalski horses to Mongolia.
In collaboration with the participa-
federal state's nature reserves into a
We will remember him dearly. •
ting American zoos a socio-econo-
semireserve for the Przewalsi horses
mical survey will be carried out
of the Foundation, he took the
among the nomads in order to
immediate opportunity to advocate
devise strategies for the sustainable
the advantages of Sprakel to his
prevention of hybridisation with
superiors
this
acclimatisation
On
October
30,
2005,
horse
and
conservationist'
An Appeal To Our Contributors!
As always we look happily forward to receive your donations. Donations,
which help us to save the unique wild horses of Mongolia. However,
some of the donations reach us in the form of cheques or bank transfers.
This is rather unfortunate, because after deduction of the bank's transferral commissions only a tiny percentage of the remitted money will be
Przewalski Horse January 2006
left. This is not only pitiful for the Foundation - it barely covers the
8
processing and sending costs of this newsletter -, but it is also a waste
of your money. Money that you thought would come to the benefit of
the Przewalski horses. Therefore, we kindly ask you to send us your
donation cash by mail. In this way we will be able to use all of it for the
cause of the takhi in Hustai National Park. At your request, we will send
you a receipt.
able
to
accompany
his
Colophon
“Przewalski-Horse” is a joint issue of
the Foundation for the Preservation
and Protection of the Przewalski
Horse and the Foundation Reserves
Przewalski Horse.
Boomdijk 43, 3286 LD KLAASWAAL
Tel.: 31-186-574493
Fax: 31-186-574869
E-mail: [email protected]
Postbank: 3808754
ABN/AMRO: 50.23.26.131
“Przewalski Paard” appears annually
for subscribers. Minimum contribution
€ 12,50 (equals US$ 17,- or £ 10,-)
annually.
Text:
Inge Bouman
Editors:
A.M. Groeneveld
P.G.W. Klandermans
Translated by:
P.G.W. Klandermans
Printing:
Plusprint - Hoogvliet
Thank you in advance.
ISSN: 0167 - 787X
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