Maja, a 13-year-old Przewalski’s horse mare, was euthanized Aug. 13 at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) after developing renal failure.

Maja began showing signs of illness Aug. 11 and during the following days stopped eating, produced blood in her urine, and had difficulty standing and walking. Because of her rapidly declining condition, lack of response to treatment and care, and laboratory tests that supported renal failure, veterinarians and keepers elected to euthanize her. A full necropsy report, which could provide more information about the underlying cause of Maja’s renal failure, will be completed in four to six weeks.

Maja gave birth to a colt, Zygmund, on May 9. At the time of her death, Zygmund already started eating solids. He has been placed with Anne, an experienced mother and easy-going mare, for companionship. Anne is also Maja’s daughter and Zygmund’s half-sister. The two are doing well together and have visual access to the rest of SCBI’s herd of female Przewalski’s horses, but will live adjacent to them until Zygmund is a little older. Keepers are also monitoring Zygmund very closely for any sign of illness and to ensure that he continues to gain weight. He has not displayed any signs of illness.

Maja moved to SCBI in 2007 from the Stuttgart Zoo in Germany based on a breeding recommendation. Her genes were not well-represented in the population of Przewalski’s horses living in North America. She gave birth to three foals, Anne born in 2008, Batu born in 2013, and Zygmund