Azerbaijan fights to protect national animal from extinction

Emily Wither, for CNN

Updated 1406 GMT (2206 HKT) June 4, 2015

The Karabakh horse is known for its strength, speed and endurance. The animal is of great cultural importance to the people of Azerbaijan.
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Azerbaijan's national emblem – The Karabakh horse is known for its strength, speed and endurance. The animal is of great cultural importance to the people of Azerbaijan.
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Players riding Karabakh horses play Chovgan, an early form of polo, in Baku ahead of the European Games in the Azerbaijani capital.
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National sport – Players riding Karabakh horses play Chovgan, an early form of polo, in Baku ahead of the European Games in the Azerbaijani capital.
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Cross-breeding and the Armenian-Azerbaijani war has seen numbers of the Karabakh decrease significantly.
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Azerbaijan's national emblem – Cross-breeding and the Armenian-Azerbaijani war has seen numbers of the Karabakh decrease significantly.
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Players prepare for a game of Chovgan on a sunny afternoon in Baku.
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Meeting their match – Players prepare for a game of Chovgan on a sunny afternoon in Baku.
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Azerbaijan's Ministry of Agriculture has drawn up a number of horse breeding programs and taken steps to improve veterinary services to try and protect the breed and increase numbers.
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Azerbaijan's national emblem – Azerbaijan's Ministry of Agriculture has drawn up a number of horse breeding programs and taken steps to improve veterinary services to try and protect the breed and increase numbers.
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