Marwell Zoo celebrates latest newborns of threatened species

Przewalski's horse

Both species became extinct in the wild and became reliant on captive breeding and reintroduction for their survival.

Przewalski's horse

Keepers say the newborn Przewalski’s horse foal and the scimitar-horned oryx calf, the second born in recent weeks, are both thriving.

PhotosByGemma - Scimitar-Horned Oryx calf

Other new arrivals include a Hartmann’s mountain zebra and a dorcas gazelle calf both classed as ‘Vulnerable’ extinction in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Hartmann's Foal. Credit: Mark Parris

Director of Conservation, Dr Tim Woodfine, said: “These births are welcome additions to their respective European Ex situ Programmes (EEPs), which are specially managed assurance populations. Our Przewalski’s horse foal and scimitar-horned oryx calf are reminders that these species disappeared from their natural ranges but have since been successfully reintroduced.

dorcas gazelle. Credit: Mark Parris.

"Our Tunisia team has helped reintroduce scimitar-horned oryx and continues to monitor them to four protected areas. We have also contributed animals and technical support to re-establish the species in the huge Ouadi Rimé‐Ouadi Achim Wildlife Reserve in Chad as part of an ambitious project undertaken by the Government of Chad and the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the Sahara Conservation Fund.

"Przewalski’s horses had disappeared from the wild by the end of the 1960s. Marwell played a key role on forming a cooperative breeding programme for this species and planning its reintroduction.

dorcas gazelle. Credit: Mark Parris

"We since provided animals for reintroduction in Mongolia and Hungary, and for grazing management projects in European nature reserves”.

The charity recently published its Impact Report for 2020 detailing its work around the world to restore nature and promote sustainable living,.