Ep 1. Horses in Search of a King

Saved From Extinction is a new documentary series that takes viewers across the globe to explore the work of conservationists who are striving to save endangered species. In season 1 episode 1, entitled "Horses in Search of a King," we join a team of scientists and researchers in their quest to save the Przewalski’s horse, also known as the Asiatic wild horse.

We follow the team to the remote grasslands of Kazakhstan, where they are tracking a small herd of Przewalski’s horses. The Przewalski’s horse is a rare and ancient breed that was once widespread over the steppes of Central Asia, but was driven to the brink of extinction by hunting and habitat loss. Today, the species is classified as endangered, with only a few hundred individuals left in the wild.

The team is led by Dr. Tatjana Hubel, a German biologist who has dedicated her life to studying and conserving the Przewalski’s horse. She is joined by a team of local Kazakh scientists and rangers, who provide crucial knowledge and assistance in their efforts. Together, they are working to reintroduce the species to the steppe, and to give them a fighting chance at survival.

The Przewalski’s horse is a particularly fascinating species, as it is the only truly wild horse left in the world. While many people assume that the horses we see roaming the American West are wild, in fact, they are feral horses that descended from domesticated breeds brought over by European colonizers. The Przewalski’s horse, on the other hand, has been living wild on the steppes for millennia.

The team faces a number of challenges in their work, ranging from harsh weather conditions to bureaucratic red tape to the inherent difficulties of reintroducing an extinct species to a new environment. But they are driven by their passion and commitment to preserving this remarkable animal.

As we watch the team track the herd across the grasslands, we learn about the Przewalski’s horse’s unique behaviors and characteristics. For example, they are extremely social creatures that form tight-knit families, with stallions caring for their young and driving off predators. They are also hardy and adaptive, able to live in extreme environments and subsist on tough grasses and shrubs.

Despite these strengths, the Przewalski’s horse is still vulnerable to threats like poaching and habitat loss. The team must work not only to reintroduce the species, but also to ensure that they have enough land to thrive and that they are protected from human activities.

Ultimately, the episode is a moving tribute to the beauty and resilience of this rare and ancient species. As we watch the majestic horses gallop across the steppe, we feel a renewed appreciation for the diversity of life on our planet, and the urgent need to protect it.