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Journal of equine science2008; 19(1); 1-7; doi: 10.1294/jes.19.1

Reproduction and Development of the Released Przewalski’s Horses (Equus przewalskii) in Xinjiang, China.

Abstract: In China, the first Przewalski's horse (Equus przewalskii) group was released in Kalamaili Ungulate Protected Area in Xinjiang, in August 2001. The objective of this study was to investigate reproduction and development of released Przewalski's horses in Xinjiang, China from 2002 to 2006. Twenty-four descendants were naturally born, average reproduction rate was 38.7%, and average survival rate of foals was 69.1% in this interim. Frequent alternation of the leading stallion and infertility in female horses due to environmental factors were main causes for the low reproduction rate. The infant mortality rate of released Przewalski's horses was 25.0%, and 83.3% of death in infants was due to the leading stallion infanticide. The released Przewalski's horses exhibited seasonal breeding, 70.8% of infants were born in May and June. The fertility rates were 8.3% in April and 37.5% in May, which were lower compared to those of the captive Przewalski's horse groups (18.3% and 44.3%, respectively). Furthermore, the fertility rate in June was 33.3% and higher than the captive groups (18.3%). These findings showed that the breeding peak of the released Przewalski's horse groups was later than the captive groups, and suggested that the altered survival environment and food supplies were the main reasons contributing to the delayed breeding peak.
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Publication Date: 2008-04-08 PubMed ID: 24833949PubMed Central: PMC4019202DOI: 10.1294/jes.19.1Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The study researches the reproductive patterns and development of a group of Przewalski’s horses, released into a protected area in Xinjiang, China. Key findings include a natural birth rate of 38.7%, a foal survival rate of 69.1%, and a significant correlation between environmental factors and reproduction and infant mortality rates.

Reproduction and Development of Przewalski’s Horses

The research focused on the reproduction and development of Przewalski’s horses in a protected area in Xinjiang, China from 2002 to 2006. The highlights of the research include:

  • The average reproduction rate among these horses was 38.7%. The lower reproduction rate was primarily due to environmental factors and frequent change of leadership among the stallions. Infertility observed among female horses may be attributed to these reasons.
  • The survival rate among foals was 69.1%. This percentage represents the offspring that survived beyond the infant stage.
  • Infant mortality rate was 25.0%, of which 83.3% was because of infanticide by the leading stallion.

Seasonal Breeding Patterns

The study also delved into the seasonal breeding patterns among these species. Key findings include:

  • Most births occurred in May and June, representing 70.8% of the total offspring born.
  • The fertility rates in April and May were 8.3% and 37.5% respectively, lower than the rates observed in captive Przewalski’s horse groups.
  • In contrast, the fertility rate in June was higher among the wild group, at 33.3%, than the captive group’s fertility rate of 18.3%.

Environmental Impact on Breeding Patterns

The study established a connection between environmental conditions and breeding patterns. It was found that:

  • The peak breeding season for the released group was later than the captive groups, indicating that changes in survival environment and food supplies might influence the breeding cycle.
  • The shift in breeding peak could be a result of changes in the surrounding environment and availability of food resources, suggesting that these horses have the ability to adapt their reproductive behaviour according to environmental and resource changes.

Cite This Article

APA
Chen J, Weng Q, Chao J, Hu D, Taya K. (2008). Reproduction and Development of the Released Przewalski’s Horses (Equus przewalskii) in Xinjiang, China. J Equine Sci, 19(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.19.1

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 19
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-7

Researcher Affiliations

Chen, Jinliang
  • College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
Weng, Qiang
  • College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China ; Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.
Chao, Jie
  • Xinjiang Research Center for Breeding Przewalskii Horse, Xinjiang 831700, China.
Hu, Defu
  • College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
Taya, Kazuyoshi
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan ; United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Hu D, Chao Y, Zhang B, Wang C, Qi Y, Ente M, Zhang D, Li K, Mok KM. Effects of Gasterophilus pecorum infestation on the intestinal microbiota of the rewilded Przewalski's horses in China. PLoS One 2021;16(5):e0251512.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251512pubmed: 33974667google scholar: lookup
  2. Tang L, Li Y, Srivathsan A, Gao Y, Li K, Hu D, Zhang D. Gut Microbiomes of Endangered Przewalski's Horse Populations in Short- and Long-Term Captivity: Implication for Species Reintroduction Based on the Soft-Release Strategy. Front Microbiol 2020;11:363.
    doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00363pubmed: 32226419google scholar: lookup
  3. Zhang Y, Cao QS, Rubenstein DI, Zang S, Songer M, Leimgruber P, Chu H, Cao J, Li K, Hu D. Water Use Patterns of Sympatric Przewalski's Horse and Khulan: Interspecific Comparison Reveals Niche Differences. PLoS One 2015;10(7):e0132094.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132094pubmed: 26161909google scholar: lookup
  4. Uzunidis A, Roussel A, González-Urquijo J, Lazuen T. Neandertal predation agenda reveals seasonal strategies during MIS 5-4 transition in Axlor, northatlantic Iberia. Sci Rep 2025 Jul 7;15(1):24174.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-08314-6pubmed: 40624214google scholar: lookup
  5. Rödel HG, Ibler B, Ozogány K, Kerekes V. Age-specific effects of density and weather on body condition and birth rates in a large herbivore, the Przewalski's horse. Oecologia 2023 Dec;203(3-4):435-451.
    doi: 10.1007/s00442-023-05477-9pubmed: 37971561google scholar: lookup
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