Mammal Monday -- the Przewalski's horse!

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This week's mammal is the Przewalski’s Horse (pronounced “sheh-val-skee”). This horse is native to plains and grasslands of Mongolia, as well as other parts of Asia and eastern Europe, but I first saw one at the National Zoo’s Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, VA.  Although these horses are small (about 13 hands high and between 550 and 750 pounds), they’re impressive with tan fur on their bodies and a short, dark mane and tail.  They have evolved to survive the harsh winters in Mongolia, but in the 20th century the species had trouble surviving in the face of habitat loss, loss of water sources to domestic animals, and overhunting.  The Przewalski’s horse was declared extinct in the wild by the World Conservation Union in 1970.

Thanks to an active captive breeding program, Przewalski’s horses were reintroduced to the wild in 2008.  There are currently 1,500 horses in captivity worldwide, and approximately 400 horses in reintroduction sites in Mongolia, Kazahkstan, and China.  All of today’s current population of Przewalski’s horses come from 14 ancestors.  Thus, the gene pool for this horse is very narrow.  Scientists must very carefully coordinate breeding between the captive horses to try to maximize genetic diversity and make the population more able to withstand various stresses, such as disease.

So Przewalski’s horse is beautiful, but why should we care about its survival?  Because a species like this one tells us when we’re negatively impacting the ecosystem.  Humans are part of the natural world; we depend on natural resources for our survival.  But sometimes we take more than our share, and the ecosystem on which we depend begins to suffer.  Species like Przewalski’s horse tell us when our agricultural or hunting practices are unsustainable. 

And if you needed more reasons to protect the Przewalski’s horse, here are 5 Reasons Przewalski’s Horses are cooler than thoroughbreds:

1. It is the only truly wild horse remaining in the world (it’s never been tamed for riding).
2. I’ve never fallen off a Prezwalski’s horse (I’ve definitely fallen off a thoroughbred)
3. Prezwalski’s horses can make it through winter in Mongolia without a horse blanket.
4. The Mongolian name for these horses is “takhi,” which means “spirit.”   That’s way cooler than names like Chicken Lips or Buck Naked.
5. Przewalski’s horses have 2 more chromosomes than domestic horses(66 vs. 64).

Oh, and did you know that horse vasectomies can be reversed?  Greenmomster’s always here for you with fun facts:

Quick PB&J Breakfast

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I haven't tried this one yet, but I thought it might be good for the start of school or for a "breakfast for dinner".  This recipe comes from the September 2016 issue of Family Circle.  Please post a comment if you give it a try!

Ingredients

• 2 cups of milk
• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 1/3 cup chunky peanut butter
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/4 tsp salt
• strawberry preserves

Instructions

1. Simmer all ingredients, except preserves, for about 5 minutes.
2. Cool slightly and pour into 4 microwave-safe jars or containers and cover with lids.
3. Refrigerate overnight.
4. Reheat in the microwave and top with strawberry preserves. 

Enjoy!

Mammal Monday -- So stinkin' cute

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It's a busy Mammal Monday at the greenmomster household, so I'm sharing this great skunk video.  Kudos to the biker for staying so calm!  More details on skunks to come....

Athletes doing green stuff -- "Seeds of Hope"

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Every one of the over 10,000 athletes who entered the 2016 Olympic opening ceremonies was given a seed to plant -- the little trees will eventually be part of the Athletes Forest in Rio.  If you watched the opening ceremonies, you saw children carrying larger trees of the 207 species that will be found in the forest.  This gesture was one of the activities that Rio organizers used to try to shine a light on sustainability and climate change.  Granted, Rio has plenty of problems with deforestation, solid waste mismanagement, and water pollution, but it was good to see the organizers trying to bring climate change to the world stage.  (photo credit: AP Photo, Tim Donnelly) 

Celebrities doing green stuff -- Olympics edition!

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David Rudisha of Kenya has successfully defended his gold medal in the 800 meter race from London -- way to go!  But did you know he's also defending lions in his home country?  He now encourages fellow Maasai warriors to compete in the Maasai Olympics (now in its 3rd year), rather than killing lions as a rite of passage into adulthood.  A great example of looking at your own lifestyle and figuring out ways to make it more sustainable!

Pull that peach!

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Peaches are in season, so be sure to try this delicious cold soup from the September 2005 Gourmet magazine!
Yield: Makes 4 first-course servings

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/2 lb tomatoes, chopped (4 cups)
• 1 lb peaches, pitted and chopped (2 cups)
• 1/4 cup crushed ice
• 2 tablespoons chopped shallot (1 medium)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup water

Instructions:
1)  Purée two thirds of tomatoes and half of peaches with ice, shallot, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon vinegar, 2 teaspoons tarragon, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a blender until very smooth, about 1 minute. Force through a medium-mesh sieve into a large glass measure, discarding solids. Stir in water to desired consistency.
2)  Toss together remaining tomatoes and peaches with remaining tablespoon oil, remaining 1/2 tablespoon vinegar, remaining teaspoon tarragon, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper in a bowl.
3)  Serve soup in bowls topped with tomato peach salsa.

Palm oil update

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(photo credit: © naturepl.com/Anup Shah / WWF )

I've posted in the past about the link between palm oil plantations and orangutan habitat, the nutritional issues associated with palm oil, and a global day of action against conflict palm oil.  Now Conservation magazine has a new article summarizing two very interesting studies on the sustainability of palm oil production.  With palm oil in many of the products we buy at the grocery store, the issue of sustainable production is an important one.  

What can you do to encourage sustainability?

• Learn more about orangutans and the palm oil issue!  Check out the World Wildlife Fund's Informative website which tells you all about the two species of orangutan, their habitat, and threats to their habitat.  Other informative sites include the National Zoo, Orangutan Foundation International, and Rainforest Action Network websites.
• Check food labels and try to support companies that are RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) members.  Here's a helpful shopping guide (thanks Climate Mama!) where you can download a palm oil shopping guide -- take it with you when you're at the grocery store!