On 29 August 2025, Prague Zoo, the Czech Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Animal Science (IAS), and other leading public institutions signed a Memorandum of Cooperation focused on the conservation of the Przewalski’s horse and other endangered mammal species. Until now, such a comprehensive collaboration has been missing in the Czech Republic.
According to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), around 45,000 species of animals, plants, and fungi are currently threatened with extinction. Preserving the remaining genetic diversity in the form of viable biological material is essential for their protection. The Memorandum is intended to strengthen activities aimed at saving the Przewalski’s horse and other endangered mammals.
The document was signed, alongside Radomír Pánek, President of the Czech Academy of Sciences, by Jan Malínský from the Institute of Experimental Medicine of the CAS, Miroslav Bobek, Director of Prague Zoo, Jana Rychtářová from the Institute of Animal Science, and Ildikó Csölle Putzová, Deputy Director of the Veterinary Research Institute.
Under the Memorandum, Prague Zoo commits to providing biological material from the Przewalski’s horse and other mammals and to participate in educational activities. The Czech Academy of Sciences will coordinate the activities of the participating institutions. The Institute of Experimental Medicine will conduct genetic analyses, assess sample quality, and develop advanced cellular techniques. The Institute of Animal Science will ensure the preservation of cell lines, cryopreservation and lyophilization of sperm, and genomic analyses. The Veterinary Research Institute will focus on molecular and cytogenetic analyses and collaborate on the conservation of genetic material.
“It is our responsibility towards future generations. We want to expand the range of current activities so that the rescue scheme we are jointly developing can also be applied to other mammal species,” says Radomír Pánek, President of the Czech Academy of Sciences.
(Source: avcr.cz)