On a windswept plain in Ningxia’s Helan Mountain Nature Reserve, a herd of 12 Przewalski’s horses galloped into freedom on Tuesday, marking a milestone in the conservation of this critically endangered species.
These newcomers join six horses released in February, and together they’ll form three distinct herds across the reserve’s grasslands. Once extinct in the Chinese mainland—victims of unchecked poaching and environmental decline—these wild horses are making a comeback thanks to decades of international collaboration.
In the mid-1980s, breeding programs in Britain, Germany and the United States sent their stock to Ningxia, kickstarting a reintroduction effort that has now produced two new foals in the wild. With the latest arrivals, the wild population inside Helan Mountain has reached 20 horses—a clear sign of recovery.
Conservationists say this project combines hands-on stewardship with rigorous data tracking, ensuring each herd adapts successfully to its rugged home. For young global citizens, entrepreneurs and eco-minded travelers, the story of the Przewalski’s horse is proof that focused action and cross-border partnerships can revive even the most threatened species.
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Endangered Przewalski's horses released into the wild in Ningxia
cgtn.com
