We have talked previously about the nearly extinct of the rare breed of Przewalski horses. Przewalski’s Horses are also known as the Mongolian Wild Horse and Asian Wild Horse, once wandered across parts of Europe and Central Asia.

Nevertheless, wild numbers were rapidly reduced over the 19th century and in the 1960s the species was classified as extinct in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Fortunately, earlier this year the Werribee Open Range Zoo out of Australia had interesting news for a rare Mongolian wild horse foal!

He is named Bataar (Mongolian for “hero”) and is easily recognized by his charming spiky mane. Bataar began his life as the son of Mahan, a mare also located at the African themed zoo about 32 kilometers southwest of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The Werribee Open Range Zoo is part of the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board or ‘Zoos Victoria’ which also includes Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary.

Soon after his birth, the zoo distributed his photos online of this horse that is acknowledged as one of only 2,000 Mongolian wild horses on the earth today. “Bataar has got the whole herd taking care of him so he doesn’t have trouble in the world. He’s becoming stronger and more fearless by the day,” zookeeper Linda Gardiner stated. Human interference has assisted to keep these extremely rare species of wild horses from extinction, as Bataar is a direct result of the thriving breeding program at the Werribee Open Range Zoo.