BEHAVIORAL OBSERVATIONS OF REINTRODUCED TAKHI OR PRZEWALSKI HORSES (EQUUS-FERUS-PRZEWALSKII) IN MONGOLIA

During 1992 and 1993, 14 reintroduced Przewalski Horses or Takhi (Equu s ferus przewalskii) were studied in the Hustain Nuruu Mountain Steppe reserve in Mongolia. Most of the individuals did not know each other before reintroduction. These Takhi were the first of five groups due t o be released in the reserve after an acclimatisation period of at lea st 1 year. During acclimatisation the Takhi, lived visually and acoust ically separately, in fenced enclosures of approximately 45 ha each. T he observations, mostly scan-sampling, were carried out in each season . The observation bouts were divided over six periods and over two har em herds. Two of the periods were in the Same consecutive seasons, so comparison over the years was possible. Social integration within the Takhi herds was very high from the beginning, as described by the spat ial relation and synchronisation data. Between 50 and 89% of the obser vation time, the behaviour of all herd members was synchronised, The a mount of time spent grazing by the Takhi (30-68% of the daylight perio d) was similar to that of feral horses and Takhi in captivity and semi -reserves. The Takhi tended to rest in the morning and have a bimodal period of grazing at dawn and in the afternoon. The Takhi displayed cl ear habitat preferences for certain activities, They had a strong pref erence to rest at the highest point in their enclosure. They fed prefe rably on two or three different vegetation types (with five types avai lable in each enclosure), The amount of time spent grazing during the non-growing seasons (49 +/- 15%) indicates that the feeding value and availability of food were sufficient. Health changes were detected ade quately using condition scoring sheets. No supplementary food or water was supplied during the harsh winters. Moreover, low mortality rates and high reproductive success show that the mountain steppe is a habit at which is potentially suitable for establishing a healthy Takhi popu lation. Takhi is the first species to return to its native habitat aft er living only in toes for so many generations.