Przewalski’s horses return to the zoo

BROOKFIELD – They’re back. Przewalski’s horses hadn’t been at Brookfield Zoo for almost 10 years, but that changed late last year.

The horses, pronounced shuh-VAHL-skeez, are now three strong. Mares Olivia, age 21, and April and May, both 20, are on exhibit at the north side of the zoo. The Mongolian horses are named after Col. Nikolai Przewalski, who observed them in 1878.

The horses are a wild species, never having been ridden or domesticated. They have a brownish coat, short legs and measure 4 feet at the shoulder. Their manes are short and stiff without a forelock or hair hanging over their foreheads.

Back in 1969, the horse species disappeared from the wild, so that by 1970, only 150 horses remained in zoos. Since that time, breeding programs make the horse’s future brighter. More than 15 years ago, 16 horses were released back into the wild from reserves in Ukraine and Netherlands. More release programs continue, including one in China where horses spend part of the year in a facility and the rest of the year roaming freely.

Today more than 1,500 of the horses exist in zoos. These efforts have resulted in the species going from “extinct” in the wild to “critically endangered.”

Brookfield Zoo works with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Przewalski’s Horse Species Survival Plan.

The group breeds horses in zoos to keep a healthy population. Brookfield, however, is not planning to establish a breeding population at the zoo at this time.

While visiting the horses, there are plenty of other exhibits to fill out the day.

– The Great Bear Wilderness – features North American animals such as grizzly bears, polar bears and gray wolves. The exhibit covers 7.5 acres.

– Salt Creek Wilderness – native Illinois species with a field guide and journal entries to enhance the visit.

– Seven Seas – dolphins make their home here.

– The Butterflies – check them out in May. The exhibit is closed until then.

– The Living Coast – see fish and sharks while going through an underwater walkway.

– Regenstein Wolf Woods – visit wolves in their wilderness. It’s the home of the Mexican gray wolf covering 2.1 acres along the south shore of Indian Lake.

– Perching Bird House – cheerful colors brighten the winter. In the aviary, the birds fly inches from visitors.

Those who don’t mind chilly weather, may find the crowds fewer and the exhibits just as fun this time of year.

If you go

What: Przewalski's horses.

Where: Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Cost: General admission: $13.50 for adults and $9.50 for seniors 65 and older and children 3 to 11. All-in-one tickets: $25 for adults and $19 for seniors 65 and older and children 3 to 11 – price includes several attractions as well as general admission. Free days are Tuesdays and Thursdays for general admission. Parking: car/van $9.

Information: Visit www.czs.org or call 708-688-8000.