The President of Mongolia, U.Khurelsukh recently met with Miroslav Bobek, the Director of the Prague Zoo, and Veronika Kapisovska, a Lecturer at the Mongolian Studies Center of Charles University and renowned Mongolist scholar to discuss continued cooperation on wildlife conservation initiatives in Mongolia.

During the meeting, President U.Khurelsukh emphasized the long-standing and invaluable contributions of the Prague Zoo to wildlife preservation in Mongolia, particularly highlighting its role in the re-introduction of the endangered Przewalski’s horse. He also acknowledged the zoo's ongoing support in enhancing the infrastructure and research capabilities of the Gobi Strictly Protected Area’s administration.

The president expressed his appreciation for the continued collaboration, which includes a new initiative to introduce Przewalski’s horses into the Numrug Strictly Protected Area in the Khalkhgol soum of Dornod Province. This project will also involve assessing the ecosystems of Mongolia’s govi and dry steppe regions, identifying ecologically critical sites, and placing them under special protection. Expert guidance and support will be provided to ensure the success of these efforts.

This meeting builds on the agreements made during President U.Khurelsukh’s visit to the Czech Republic in March 2025, further demonstrating the implementation of initiatives. Notably, President U.Khurelsukh had visited the Prague Zoo, where he named a newly born Przewalski’s foal “Dagina,” symbolizing the ongoing bond between the two countries in wildlife conservation.

Also, the Prague Zoo established a permanent “Mongolian Gobi” exhibit in March 2024, which includes a traditional Mongol ger and a photo exhibition that showcases the progress and results of the Przewalski’s horse reintroduction program. This exhibit has served to further educate the public about the project and its significance to both Mongolia and global biodiversity efforts.

The meeting also touched on the significant contribution made by Czech President Petr Pavel, who, while serving as the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, approved the transport of Przewalski’s horses to Mongolia using military aircraft. This decision, crucial to the success of the project, has helped increase the population of Przewalski’s horses in Mongolian reserves like Khustai National Park, where the population has now exceeded 1,000.