Forty years after the launch of China’s “Wild Horse Return Program” in 1985, the Przewalski’s horse, the world’s only surviving wild horse species, has made a remarkable recovery from extinction in the wild to establishing self-sustaining populations in Northwest China. The population in China now exceeds 900 individuals, about one-third of the global total, thanks to decades of conservation efforts including captive breeding, overseas reintroduction, and habitat restoration, particularly at the Dunhuang West Lake National Nature Reserve in Gansu province. The program has also achieved significant milestones such as a pioneering long-distance relocation of 28 horses over 1,030 kilometers with zero fatalities, and the establishment of modern breeding and monitoring facilities.

This success not only represents a major ecological restoration achievement but also symbolizes China’s commitment to biodiversity protection and harmonious coexistence with nature. The Przewalski’s horse has become a cultural icon, inspiring the mascot for the 2026 Year of the Horse Spring Festival Gala. With ongoing efforts to support population growth and genetic diversity, including the care of sub-adults and expected foal births, the program aims to ensure a stable, healthy wild population for future generations.