Prague, 31 May 2026 - A military transport aircraft of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic departed today from Prague-Kbely Air Base carrying a new group of Przewalski’s horses destined for Kazakhstan as part of the international project “Return of the Wild Horses.”

A total of eight Przewalski’s horses - four stallions and four mares - are scheduled to be transported to Kazakhstan this year. The first group has been dispatched from Prague, while an additional four animals will be transferred from Tierpark Berlin. The horses are being relocated to the Altyn Dala State Nature Reserve, which is emerging as one of the key centres for the restoration of this rare species in Kazakhstan. This is the third transport carried out since the launch of the project in 2024.

To mark the departure of the animals, a press conference was held with the participation of the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, the Deputy Mayor of Prague responsible for environmental affairs, representatives of Prague Zoo, and European coordinators of the Przewalski’s horse breeding programme. Speakers highlighted the particular significance of the project for Kazakhstan, noting that it is aimed not only at transporting a rare species but also at restoring the ecological balance of steppe ecosystems, preserving biodiversity, and returning Przewalski’s horse to its historical habitat.

Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kairat Abdrakhmanov expressed his appreciation to the administrations of zoological gardens in the Czech capital and other European cities, military personnel, and conservation organisations from both countries for their practical contribution to the implementation of the project. Particular recognition was given to Prague Zoo for its extensive international experience in the conservation of Przewalski’s horse, as well as to the Czech Armed Forces for ensuring the complex logistics required for the transportation of the animals.

On the Kazakh side, the project is being implemented with the participation of relevant government institutions, including the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan, and specialists from the Altyn Dala State Nature Reserve. These partners are responsible for facilitating the animals’ adaptation to their new environment, monitoring their condition, and supporting the establishment of a sustainable population in the wild.

The project represents a practical example of Kazakh-Czech cooperation in the fields of biodiversity conservation and the restoration of steppe ecosystems. It also contributes to Kazakhstan’s broader environmental agenda, including the development of protected natural areas and the strengthening of international cooperation in nature conservation.

In this context, participants also highlighted the importance of the Regional Ecological Summit held in Astana in April this year, which focused on sustainable development, environmental protection, and regional cooperation. The parties further outlined prospects for expanding cooperation between relevant institutions and zoological gardens in Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic, including the exchange of expertise, the development of professional contacts, and potential joint scientific initiatives in the field of biodiversity conservation.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-prague/press/news/details/1232171?lang=ru