A Second Chance: Triumph of the Wild Asian Horse Foal

An endangered wild Asian horse foal, named Marat, is thriving at the Minnesota Zoo thanks to an unlikely hero - a domestic pony named Alice. Marat, a Przewalski's horse, faced critical illness shortly after birth, leading to rejection from his mother. His story, however, took a positive turn due to Alice's nurturing care.

Born with limb issues, Marat struggled to stand and developed severe bacterial sepsis. Despite receiving intensive care at the University of Minnesota's equine unit, his mother refused him. The zoo found hope when Alice, mourning her own lost foal, embraced Marat as her own. Experts call this surrogate care rare for Asian wild horses.

The zoo staff named him Marat for his bravery. As one of the only true wild horses left, the Przewalski's horse plays a critical role in the species' reestablishment across Mongolia, China, Russia, and Ukraine. Marat's integration into a wild herd remains a challenge, with Alice crucially aiding his social development.

(With inputs from agencies.)