RECORDING THE WATERING BEHAVIOUR
OF FREE RANGING PRZEWALSKI HORSES
(EQUUS PRZEWALSKII POLJAKOV, 1881) IN
A SEMIRESERVE

Scheibe, K.M.; Eichhorn, K.
Institute for Zoo Biology and Wildlife Research Berlin
PF 1103
10252 Berlin

INTRODUCTION Przewalski horses lived originally in an arid environment. They were certainly adapted to shortage of water. Information about the watering behaviour of zoo-born animals and individual variation may be substantial for the reintroduction of that species into natural habitats.

METHODS The watering behaviour of twelve Przewalski horses was recorded continuously over 17 month in a semireserve. A narrow access path to the watering point could be used by one animal only at a time. When an animal entered the path, it was identified from an identification station fixed to the side wall through an external collar-mounted transponder attached to each of the animals. The amount of water consumed from an automatic water bucket was measured by an electronic water counter. Also contained in the installation was an electronic balance. Results were recorded by a PC and were saved together with time of day and date in monthly dBase format files. Air temperature was continuously measured and was recorded by the same PC that was used for water registration. The data files were analysed for individual frequency of drinking and the amount of water consumed.

RESULTS Individual variations in water consumption and drinking frequency were significant throughout the observation period. Three individuals formed a top group for mean water consumption and frequency of water uptake. On the other hand, two animals obviously were representative for low consumption and low frequency of drinking. Individual differences were more clearly detectable in dry periods and hot weather. The mean daily water uptake by all animals was influenced by the dry matter content of the forage and by air temperature. Water consumption was higher in warm periods but also in dry periods if the latter coincided with cold weather.

DISCUSSION Mean daily water consumption by most of the observed Przewalski horses was relatively low, as compared to domestic horses. Individual differences can not be explained completely jet. Meanwhile, it seems to be reasonable to select individuals with low water demand for reintroduction to the natural habitat to avoid unnecessary suffering, loss and failure.