Cloned Przewalski’s Horse Learning the Language of Wild Horses

A rare Przewalskis horse named Kurt produced by cloning in 2020 is thriving at his home at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and learning the language of being a wild horse from Holly a young female of his own species.
Kurt was cloned from the DNA of a Przewalskis horse that was frozen 42 years ago. It is hoped that once he reaches maturity in a couple of years he will be able to breed and return lost genetic diversity to his species.
By the end of the 1960s Przewalskis horse considered to be the last truly wild horse was extinct in the wild. Some individuals survived in zoos and an intensive breeding program managed to revive the species allowing horses to be reintroduced to their natural habitat in the 1990s. 

Although there are now over 700 animals roaming the Mongolian steppes almost all are related to just 12 individuals. This loss of genetic diversity is a cause for concern and maintaining genetic variation is likely to be an important part of ensuring the species survival in the future.
Kurt was born to a surrogate mother a domestic Quarter Horse which means he had no experience of other Przewalskis horses. San Diego Zoo Safari Park wildlife care experts embarked on an effort to ensure the young male gained the behavioural language he will need to interact and thrive among his own species.  
Przewalskis horses normally live in groups where a youngster secures their place in the herd from their mother said Kristi