Bhubaneswar: A species of pony (typical small horse) has been identified by a team of researchers from Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar. The team will apply to the Central government for ‘eighth species’ status to the horses, an OUAT spokesperson said today.

According to the OUAT sources, the pony is seen in Swabhiman Anchal under Chitrakonda block of Malkangiri district. There are about 40 villages of five panchayats where the ponies are used as the lone means of transport by local tribals. There are seven pony species recognised so far in the country.

“We researched the ponies over a period of past few months under the guidance of Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the varsity professor Pravat Kumar Roul. Apart from the special status, we will also request the Central government for effective preservation of this species,” Head of the Animal Reproduction Department Dr. Sushant Dash and Chitrakonda block veterinary surgeon Sujit Das said.

After the construction of a project in Balimela, at least eight panchayats of the Swabhiman Anchal including Papermetla, Kajalmamudi, Ralegada, Dhulipur and Jantri got disconnected from the rest parts of the district. Hence, the pony was used by the locals for movement from one place to another.

The pony species in Malkangiri are 142 to 149 centimetres in height. The small horses are capable of covering long distances on hilly terrains. They even carry loads up to 80 to 100 kilograms.