Reproduction and Development of the Released Przewalski's Horses (Equus przewalskii) in Xinjiang, China.
In China, the first Przewalski's horse (Equus przewalskii) group was released in Kalamaili Ungulate Protected Area in Xinjiang, in August 2001. The objective of this study was to investigate reproduction and development of released Przewalski's horses in Xinjiang, China from 2002 to 2006. Twenty-four descendants were naturally born, average reproduction rate was 38.7%, and average survival rate of foals was 69.1% in this interim. Frequent alternation of the leading stallion and infertility in female horses due to environmental factors were main causes for the low reproduction rate. The infant mortality rate of released Przewalski's horses was 25.0%, and 83.3% of death in infants was due to the leading stallion infanticide. The released Przewalski's horses exhibited seasonal breeding, 70.8% of infants were born in May and June. The fertility rates were 8.3% in April and 37.5% in May, which were lower compared to those of the captive Przewalski's horse groups (18.3% and 44.3%, respectively). Furthermore, the fertility rate in June was 33.3% and higher than the captive groups (18.3%). These findings showed that the breeding peak of the released Przewalski's horse groups was later than the captive groups, and suggested that the altered survival environment and food supplies were the main reasons contributing to the delayed breeding peak.
College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
Jinliang
J
Chen
College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China ; Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.
Qiang
Q
Weng
Xinjiang Research Center for Breeding Przewalskii Horse, Xinjiang 831700, China.
Jie
J
Chao
College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
Defu
D
Hu
Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan ; United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
Kazuyoshi
K
Taya
Przewalski’s horse; fertility rate; infanticide; mortality rate; seasonal breeding