On Jun. 13. 2024, University of Minnesota researchers announced they have successfully mapped the complete genome of the endangered Przewalski’s horse. Once extinct in the wild, the species now has a population of around 2,000 animals thanks to conservation efforts.

Researchers used a blood sample from Varuschka, a 10-year-old Przewalski’s mare at the Minnesota Zoo, to construct a representative map of genes for the species. The Zoo has long been active in Przewalski’s horse breeding and management, with over 50 foals born since the 1970s. The study, published in the journal G3.