On Aug. 6, 2020, the world welcomed the first successfully cloned Przewalski’s horse. The foal, named Kurt, was born to a domestic surrogate mother but is the clone of a Przewalski’s horse stallion whose DNA was cryopreserved over 40 years ago. When Kurt breeds, he will be the first animal to restore lost genetic diversity to his species.
Kurt’s first few months
Kurt was born in Texas at Timber Creek – the veterinary facility of our cloning partner, ViaGen Pets and Equine. He was named in honor of Kurt Benirschke, M.D., who was instrumental in founding the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Frozen Zoo and the conservation research program at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
August 7, 2020
Kurt, a one-day-old healthy foal
Image credit: Timber Creek Veterinary
August 28, 2020
3-week-old Kurt with his surrogate mother
Image credit: Timber Creek Veterinary
August 31, 2020
3-week-old Kurt, testing out his legs
Image credit: ViaGen Pets and Equine
November 11, 2020
Three-month-old Kurt with his mom
Image Credit: ViaGen Pets and Equine
“This colt is expected to be one of the most genetically important individuals of his species. We are hopeful that he will bring back genetic variation important for the future of the Przewalski’s horse population.”
Bob Wiese
Chief life sciences officer at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
In early 2021, Kurt moved to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Kurt was born to a domestic quarter horse, which means he had never interacted with other Przewalski’s horses. San Diego Zoo Safari Park wildlife care experts embarked on an effort to ensure the young male gained the behavioral language he will need to interact and thrive among his own species. In May of 2021, Kurt was introduced, for the first time, to another member of his species – a young filly named Holly.
May 24, 2021
Kurt and Holly are first introduced at San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Press play to watch their first moments of getting to know each other.
Video Credit: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
January 31, 2022
Holly teaches Kurt the language of the Przewalski’s horse
Image credit: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
September 8, 2022
Watch as Kurt and Holly explore their new habitat and kick up their heels at San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Video credit: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
“Our goal to clone a Przewalski’s horse was to see future generations of this species benefit. This relationship between Kurt and Holly is an important part of Kurt’s maturation, and bodes well for the genetic rescue of other endangered species around the world.”
Ryan Phelan
Co-Founder, Executive Director at Revive & Restore
September 8, 2022
Watch this video to see Kurt and Holly enjoy their new spacious habitat at San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Video credit: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
“To see Kurt galloping and whinnying with Holly so naturally, you’d think he was born in the wild. It’s thrilling! Cloning for conservation is off to a beautiful start!”
Ben Novak, Lead ScientistRevive & Restore
