The joint expedition of Moscow Zoo and Lomonosov Moscow University has finished the spring stage of scientific work in Ecocenter “Djeiran” in Uzbekistan. Ecocenter “Djeiran” and Moscow Zoo collaborate for many years in science and exchange of animals. All Prjeval’skii horses of the Ecocenter descend from the horses of Moscow and Leningrad Zoos.

In Uzbekistan, the last-year runny spring was good for the vegetation. Most female goitred gazelles gave birth to twins. In contrast, March of this year was too cold whilst April too dry. Favorite of goitred gazelles’ salty grasses and other desert grasses either did not grow or dried as soon as appeared. This resulted in extremely poor foraging recourses for the gazelles, kulans and Prjevalskii horses of the Ecocenter.

Foreseeing the situation of high population density and limited food resources, the staff of the Ecocenter achieved an agreement to join an adjacent territory and to transfer there a few groups of kulans Prjevalskii horses and goitred gazelles. But it is possible only in some remote future. Just now, the animals of Ecocenter need to survive. In desert, grasses grow only in spring, but to date 80% foraging resources are eaten, and many animals already look exhausted. Since grazing is only possible around three small desert lakes, the social structure of goitred gazelles is becoming abnormal: mothers with young are mixed with males! The destruction of the social structure is especially bad for young. Often they loss and can’t rejoin to their mothers. It is almost impossible to survive for a gazelle fawn without a mother under such poor food resources.

The staff of the Ecocenter has started to supply the animals a hay, splayed grass and even reeds to prevent hunger. The additional forage is necessary all summer and up to the start of new vegetation in spring. However, the own budget of the Ecocenter is scarce and first hay forage was bought for funds courteously provided by Minnesota Zoo (2500 US dollars). This is not sufficient to support the current population counting 1200 goitred gazelles, more than 30 Prjevalskii horses and more than 80 kulans up to spring. Total necessary sum is 50000 US dollars. Maybe, somebody can help to buy food for these wonderful animals. Special account for the help:

Bank name: National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Bukhara Branch.
Bank address: R. Uzbekistan, Bukhara, M. Ikbol - 3
MFO 00084
Swift code: NBFA UZ 2X
Account number: 20203840100667320002
Name: Ecocenter "Djeyran"