The last truly wild horse species in the world, rare Przewalski’s horses, were once only found on the Mongolian steppes of the Gobi Desert. They arrived at the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens.

Forty years ago, the species was listed as extinct in the wild. Thanks to coordinated captive breeding programs by accredited zoos and conservationists, the population of Przewalski’s horses is now at 2,000, with some wild herds thriving in reintroduction sites and natural preserves.

The San Diego Zoo has been a major supporter of the breeding program, with over 200 horses.

Nancy Chan, spokesperson for the San Francisco Zoo, said that there are only 12 founder animals in the breeding programs, and all 2,000 of their progeny have in some way come from those original horses.

They will eventually be featured in a new Asian Conservation Zone at the zoo, which will include some of the flora and landscape features of Asia. The zoo has Asian animals like Komodo dragons, monkeys and snow leopards, but the renovation-to-come will place the animals from Asia together.

Guests can view the pair starting this weekend. They will live temporarily in a stable and field which previously housed other hoofstock by Bear Country.