Endangered Horse Foal Finds Hope in Surrogacy
APPLE VALLEY, Minn. — A young Przewalski’s horse foal named Marat is defying the odds and thriving, thanks to an unexpected savior. After facing critical health issues shortly after his birth at the Minnesota Zoo nearly two months ago, Marat’s outlook was bleak. His mother rejected him, leading to concerns about his future.
Fortunately, Alice, a gentle domestic Pony of the Americas, stepped in when she lost her own foal. Veterinarians hailed this as a rare instance of surrogacy for an Asian wild horse. Alice took Marat in, nurturing him and allowing him to nurse, which transformed his trajectory.
Zoo staff chose the name Marat, which means “brave,” and he has indeed shown remarkable courage from the start. The Przewalski’s horse is considered one of the last truly wild horse species. Once declared extinct in the wild in the 1960s, they have made a comeback in places like Mongolia and China, but their numbers remain alarmingly low—under 2,000 today. Each new foal is vital for their survival.
Kurt Heizmann, the zoo’s director of animal care, noted that Przewalski’s horses are unique in their behavior, having never been fully domesticated. This makes Marat’s journey even more crucial as he grows. He was born with some leg issues that complicated his ability to stand, leading to significant health challenges.
Marat received care from the University of Minnesota’s equine unit, which treated his pneumonia and infections. With his mother unable to care for him, the zoo was faced with a tough decision on how to ensure Marat’s future.
Thankfully, Alice’s instinct to nurture Marat provided a lifeline. “It was like a fairy-tale ending,” said Dr. Annie Rivas, who oversees animal health at the zoo. The next step will be integrating Marat into the social structure of a wild horse herd, and Alice will help him learn essential horse behaviors.
As a wild stallion, Marat is exhibiting a strong personality, already asserting himself as he grows. His progress is being closely monitored, and the hope is that he will eventually join the adult Przewalski’s herd in the zoo.
In a time when wildlife conservation is paramount, Marat’s story offers a glimmer of hope and a reminder of the resilience found within nature.
