https://mongolia.wcs.org RSS feeds for WCS Mongolia 60 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26027/WCS-Mongolia-Highlights-Importance-of-Connected-Landscapes-for-Nomadic-Ungulates-at-CMS-CoP15.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=26027 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26027&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26027/WCS-Mongolia-Highlights-Importance-of-Connected-Landscapes-for-Nomadic-Ungulates-at-CMS-CoP15.aspx ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (March 27, 2026) —The 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS CoP15) is taking place from 23–29 March 2026 in Campo Grande, Brazil. WCS is participating alongside governments and partners, contributing to discussions on conserving migratory species that depend on connected ecosystems across borders. In Mongolia, this translates into on-the-ground efforts to maintain and restore connectivity across the steppe. WCS is supporting the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI), strengthening coordination with government, and advancing practical measures to reduce fragmentation from infrastructure and land use in key landscapes for khulan, saiga, and migratory gazelles. “Across Mongolia’s steppe, species like khulan still move over vast distances, but these movements are increasingly constrained. Keeping these landscapes connected is essential to sustain viable populations,” said Dr. B.Buuveibaatar, Senior Scientist at WCS Mongolia. As negotiations continue and decisions are not yet finalized, WCS is working with partners to ensure outcomes are grounded in science and can be implemented at the landscape scale. These discussions are also closely linked to upcoming global moments, including UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia, where there is an opportunity to better connect rangeland management, climate adaptation, and biodiversity conservation. kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Fri, 27 Mar 2026 01:33:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26027 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26008/WCS-Mongolia-and-Ministry-of-Food-Agriculture-and-Light-Industry-sign-Memorandum-to-Protect-Nomadic-Wildlife-and-Rangeland-Health.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=26008 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26008&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/26008/WCS-Mongolia-and-Ministry-of-Food-Agriculture-and-Light-Industry-sign-Memorandum-to-Protect-Nomadic-Wildlife-and-Rangeland-Health.aspx ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (March 20, 2026) — The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry (MOFALI) today formalized a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to integrate the protection of nomadic wildlife with sustainable agricultural development. This strategic partnership establishes a formal framework for collaboration through 2031, focusing on the critical intersection of livestock management and the preservation of the world’s last great terrestrial migrations. By aligning conservation science with national agricultural policy, the agreement seeks to ensure that Mongolia’s vast, open landscapes remain a viable home for both traditional herding and the country's iconic migratory species. Under this agreement, WCS and MOFALI will collaborate on sustainable rangeland management and develop wildlife-friendly policies that support healthy pastures. This strategy prioritizes the removal of barriers to movement, ensuring that the ancient pathways of nomadic species are protected even as the agricultural sector modernizes. “Securing the future of Mongolia’s nomadic wildlife requires a landscape-level approach that recognizes the deep connection between herders and the environment,” said Dr. Justine Shanti Alexander, WCS Mongolia Country Director. “This five-year commitment allows us to embed wildlife-friendly practices directly into the agricultural framework, ensuring that the spectacular migrations across the steppe and mountain regions are not lost to fragmentation. By working with the Ministry, we are proving that a productive agricultural sector and the survival of nomadic species are not only compatible but mutually dependent on a healthy, intact ecosystem.” Байгаль, зэрлэг амьтдыг хамгаалах нийгэмлэг (WCS) болон ХХААХҮЯ зэрлэг амьтдыг хамгаалах, бэлчээрийн менежментийг сайжруулах хамтын ажиллагааны Санамж бичигт гарын үсэг зурлаа   УЛААНБААТАР хот (2026 оны 3 дугаар сарын 20) — Байгаль, зэрлэг амьтдыг хамгаалах нийгэмлэг (WCS)-ийн Монгол дахь Төлөөлөгчийн газар болон Хүнс, хөдөө аж ахуй, хөнгөн үйлдвэрийн яам (ХХААХҮЯ) зэрлэг амьтдыг хамгаалах ажлыг хөдөө аж ахуйн тогтвортой хөгжилтэй уялдуулах зорилго бүхий таван жилийн хугацаатай Хамтын ажиллагааны санамж бичгийг өнөөдөр үзэглэлээ. 2031 он хүртэл үргэлжлэх энэхүү түншлэлийн хүрээнд мал аж ахуйн салбарын менежмент болон дэлхийд ховорт тооцогдох хуурай газрын зэрлэг амьтдын чөлөөтэй шилжилт хөдөлгөөн хийх боломжийг хангах асуудлыг цогцоор нь авч үзэх юм. Ингэснээр байгаль хамгааллын шинжлэх ухааны үндэслэлтэй арга зүйг хөдөө аж ахуйн үндэсний бодлоготой уялдуулж, Монгол орны уудам тал хээр, говь нутаг нь уламжлалт мал аж ахуй болон нүүдлийн зэрлэг амьтад зэрэгцэн орших таатай орчин хэвээр үлдэх нөхцөлийг бүрдүүлнэ.Санамж бичгийн хүрээнд талууд бэлчээрийн тогтвортой менежментийг хэрэгжүүлэх, зэрлэг амьтдад ээлтэй бодлого боловсруулах замаар бэлчээрийн чадавхыг дэмжихэд хамтран ажиллах юм. “Монголын нүүдлийн зэрлэг амьтдын ирээдүйг баталгаажуулахын тулд малчид болон байгаль орчны хоорондын гүн гүнзгий хэлхээ холбоог хүлээн зөвшөөрсөн ландшафтын түвшний менежмент шаардлагатай” хэмээн WCS-ийн Монгол дахь хөтөлбөрийн Захирал, доктор Жастин Шанти Александр онцлов. Тэрээр үргэлжлүүлэн “Энэхүү Хамтын ажиллагааны санамж бичиг нь хөдөө аж ахуйн тогтолцоонд зэрлэг амьтдад ээлтэй арга барилуудыг нэвтрүүлж, тал хээр болон уулархаг бүс нутгийг дамжих гайхамшигт нүүдэл тасалдалгүй үргэлжлэх боломжийг олгож байгаа юм. Салбарын яамтай хамтран ажилласнаар хөдөө аж ахуйн үйлдвэрлэл болон нүүдлийн зэрлэг амьтдын оршин тогтнол нь хоорондоо зөрчилдөх бус, харин эрүүл экосистемээс шууд хамааралтай харилцан нөхцөлдөж байдаг гэдгийг бид батлан харуулж байна” гэлээ.       kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Fri, 20 Mar 2026 01:43:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26008 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25832/WCS-Mongolia-Supports-Re-establishment-of-Joint-Ministerial-Working-Group-for-Wildlife-Friendly-Infrastructure.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=25832 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25832&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25832/WCS-Mongolia-Supports-Re-establishment-of-Joint-Ministerial-Working-Group-for-Wildlife-Friendly-Infrastructure.aspx Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (January 23, 2026) – To harmonize national infrastructure development with biodiversity conservation, a joint decree by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) and the Minister of Road and Transport has officially re-established the inter-sectoral Working Group dedicated to wildlife-friendly infrastructure. Caption: Joint Ministerial Working Group on Wildlife-Friendly Infrastructure The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia supported this milestone by facilitating the working group’s first meeting with MECC on January 22, 2026, where members reached a consensus on the 2026 work plan and the primary organizational documents that will guide the working group’s activities. The renewed working group is mandated to improve the legal environment and technical standards for infrastructure projects, ensuring that roads and railways do not obstruct the migration pathways or habitats of the country’s iconic nomadic wildlife. The group’s objectives for 2026 include refining regulations for wildlife crossings, implementing new methodologies for railway protective fencing, and providing expert oversight for environmental impact assessments related to linear infrastructure. Chaired by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Working Group comprises a diverse body of stakeholders including senior officials from the Ministry of Road and Transport, the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, and state-owned transport enterprises. WCS Mongolia holds three technical positions within the group, represented by its Country Director, the Connectivity and Climate Change Manager, and a Senior Researcher. Other partners include representatives from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy. This joint effort reflects the strong collaboration among government agencies, research institutions, and conservation organizations, recognizing that progress on wildlife-friendly infrastructure depends on collective expertise, shared commitment, and long-term partnership. This work is supported by Sustainable East Asia and Oyu Tolgoi LLC. kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Fri, 23 Jan 2026 05:51:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25832 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25810/Saiga-Hero-Dr-Buuveibaatar-Bayarbaatar.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=25810 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25810&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25810/Saiga-Hero-Dr-Buuveibaatar-Bayarbaatar.aspx This interview was originally published on Saiga News by Saiga Conservation Alliance. Dr. Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar (Buuvei) is a Senior Scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia Program . He studies and helps protect Mongolia’s nomadic ungulates, including khulan, gazelles, and saiga antelope. He also represents Mongolia as Scientific Councillor to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). In addition, Buuvei serves on the Steering Committee of the Saiga Conservation Alliance and is a member of the IUCN Equid Specialist Group and the IUCN Antelope Specialist Group. When did you first become interested in the saiga? My interest in saiga started back in 2006 when I was a young researcher at the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. That year, I had the opportunity to join a WCS project focused on saiga conservation. In September, we traveled to the saiga range in western Mongolia, and it was the first time I saw this remarkable species in the wild. What immediately struck me was how different saiga are from other ungulates. They run with their heads held low and never leap, which gives them a strange, almost prehistoric appearance. During that trip, our team made history by capturing and collaring adult saiga using a drive-net method — something that had never been done for the species before. Seeing and handling these animals up close was an unforgettable experience. That was the moment I truly became fascinated by the saiga. When did you start working on saiga research and conservation? My direct involvement began in 2006 during that first movement study. Later, our team introduced systematic distance sampling surveys, which was the first time this approach had been used for saiga in Mongolia. These surveys have since become the national standard for estimating population size and trends. A few years later, I led a study on reproduction, calf survival, and causes of mortality. Over three years, we captured and collared 116 saiga calves to track their survival and movements. This work eventually became the foundation of my master’s thesis at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA. Since then, I have continued working on saiga research, focusing on their movement ecology, interactions with livestock, and threats from infrastructure development and disease. Do you have a memorable story from your fieldwork? Yes, one that I will never forget. In 2008, we went on our first field mission to capture and collar saiga calves. We had purchased 40 radio collars, but none of us had ever seen a newborn saiga before. Based on herder accounts and limited scientific literature, we expected births to occur in late May, so we planned our expedition accordingly. Every day, from sunrise to sunset, we followed pregnant females, hoping to spot newborns. Saiga mothers are known to nurse every two to three hours, so we spent long hours observing them patiently. After a week of searching, we had not found a single calf. Even our team leader, Dr. Joel Berger, had to leave when his scheduled field days ended. We were tired and discouraged, still carrying all 40 unused collars. Then one evening, as we were driving back to camp, we heard faint bleating sounds through the open window. We stopped the vehicle and began searching the area. Suddenly, one of our team members called out. There, lying motionless on the ground, was a tiny saiga calf perfectly camouflaged against the desert soil. Moments later, another teammate found a second one. They were newborn twins, each weighing about 2.5 kilograms. That discovery changed everything. Over the next week, we began finding calves regularly and managed to deploy all 40 collars. From that study, we learned that Mongolian saiga typically give birth around June 10, with most births occurring between June 13 and 20. Most females give birth to twins, although the rate drops after harsh winters. Sadly, about half of the calves die within their first year, mainly due to predation by foxes and eagles. What are the biggest challenges in your work? Fieldwork in Mongolia’s desert regions is always demanding. The distances are long, the weather can be extreme, and access to basic facilities such as water, fuel, and communication is limited. Every expedition requires careful preparation and endurance. Caption: Field team searching for newborn saiga calves in western Mongolia. Spotting saiga calves is a challenging task that often requires many hours of careful observation. Beyond logistics, the conservation challenges are complex. Habitat degradation continues to worsen due to overgrazing by livestock, mining, and infrastructure development that fragments migration routes. Disease outbreaks such as Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) can devastate populations in a matter of weeks. Another challenge is ensuring long-term funding and institutional commitment. Saiga conservation requires sustained effort over many years, yet most projects operate on short-term grants. Keeping government partners and local communities engaged over time can be just as demanding as the fieldwork itself. How can these challenges be addressed? Many of these challenges can be reduced through stronger collaboration among government agencies, researchers, and local communities. Conservation is most effective when responsibilities are shared and efforts are coordinated. Better infrastructure planning is also critical. Roads and railways should incorporate wildlife-friendly designs to maintain habitat connectivity and prevent fragmentation. Expanding disease surveillance and rapid response systems is equally important to prevent mass die-offs. Finally, we need to invest in people. Training and equipping rangers, supporting community-based monitoring, and securing stable long-term funding will help maintain progress even when external support fluctuates. Building local ownership and institutional commitment is the most sustainable way forward. What do you enjoy most about your work? For me, the best part of my work is being out in the field, traveling across Mongolia’s vast steppe and mountain landscapes and observing wildlife in its natural environment. I feel most inspired in these places, from the endless grasslands and desert plains where gazelles and saiga roam to the rugged mountains where snow leopards live. Caption: Weighing a saiga calf during field research in western Mongolia in 2009. I started my career studying Mongolian gazelles and was later drawn to the saiga. Over time, my work has expanded to include other species such as the Asiatic wild ass, goitered gazelle, and more recently, the snow leopard. These experiences have deepened my appreciation for the resilience and diversity of Mongolia’s ecosystems. Every field trip brings something new: the challenge of tracking elusive animals, the excitement of collecting fresh data, or simply the quiet beauty of dawn on the steppe. What are the prospects for saiga conservation, and what needs to happen next? I am optimistic about the future of saiga in Mongolia. The population has shown resilience, but its long-term survival depends on maintaining healthy habitats and connectivity between seasonal ranges. The first priorities should be to restore degraded pastures and water points and to ensure that new infrastructure avoids key migration routes. In recent years, saiga have started to reoccupy parts of their historical range and form small, permanent subpopulations. Strengthening these new populations and keeping them connected to the main group is vital. At the same time, we must continue to improve disease monitoring and management to prevent future outbreaks from wiping out small, isolated herds. You have worked in conservation for more than two decades. What has changed during that time? Over the past 20 years, I have seen remarkable progress in nature conservation in Mongolia. Rural livelihoods have improved as the national economy has grown, largely due to mineral exports, and livestock numbers, which are the main source of income for herders, have increased significantly. Caption: Newborn twin saiga calves resting on the desert-steppe of western Mongolia. Public awareness of wildlife conservation has also grown, legal frameworks are stronger, and collaboration among scientists, government agencies, and local communities has improved. As a result, poaching, once a major threat, has declined noticeably. However, these gains have also brought new environmental challenges. Habitat degradation has worsened due to development and overgrazing, and climate change has led to more frequent and severe extreme weather events. Mongolia is moving in the right direction, but the main challenge is to find the right balance between economic development and environmental protection. This balance is essential to ensure that unique species like the saiga continue to thrive for generations to come. kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Wed, 07 Jan 2026 04:08:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25810 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25592/WCS-Mongolia-Signs-Memorandum-of-Understanding-with-Mongolian-Railway-SSC.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=25592 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25592&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25592/WCS-Mongolia-Signs-Memorandum-of-Understanding-with-Mongolian-Railway-SSC.aspx The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mongolian Railway State-owned Shareholding Company on November 14, 2025 to support wildlife conservation in Umnugobi and Dornogobi provinces while promoting sustainable infrastructure development. WCS Mongolia Director Dr. Justine Shanti Alexander and CEO of Mongolian Railway SSC O. Batchuluun signed the agreement, highlighting the potential for this initiative to serve as a model for future projects nationwide. Under the MOU, the two organizations will collaborate on joint research, monitoring, and public awareness initiatives to assess and mitigate the Tavan Tolgoi – Zuunbayn and Tavan Tolgoi – Gashuun Sukhait railways' impacts on local wildlife. Dornogobi and Umnugobi provinces are home to Convention on Migratory (CMS) priority species such as the Khulan (Equus hemionus), Goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa), argali (Ovis ammon), ibex (Capra sibirica), and the snow leopard (Panthera uncia). The partnership enables capacity building through training for engineers and environmental staff, and the development of evidence-based recommendations to minimize barriers like fencing along the railway. These efforts align with Mongolia's national environmental laws and international standards for integrating biodiversity into infrastructure planning. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to safeguarding the unique Gobi steppe ecosystem, ensuring that economic developments are sustainable. A joint working group, comprising representatives from both parties, will oversee implementation, conduct regular evaluations, and foster transparent communication. kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:15:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25592 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25533/Khulan-Conservation-Day-2025-Mobilizing-for-Gobi-Steppe-Ecological-Integrity.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=25533 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25533&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25533/Khulan-Conservation-Day-2025-Mobilizing-for-Gobi-Steppe-Ecological-Integrity.aspx October 25, 2025, marked the second Khulan Conservation Day, an observance that underscores Mongolia’s commitment to safeguarding its natural heritage. Officially designated in 2024 by Mongolia's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, this annual commitment recognizes the Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus), locally known as the khulan, not merely as a protected species, but as an umbrella species vital for maintaining the ecological integrity and biodiversity of the Gobi-Steppe ecosystem. This designation, championed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia Program after over a decade of dedicated research and conservation, initiates an annual platform for national action and international collaboration. Actions on the Ground The second annual Khulan Conservation Day successfully translated national commitment into tangible, community-level action, with a strong focus on empowerment and education across the khulan's core range provinces of Sukhbaatar, Umnugobi, and Dornogobi — which together are home to around 80% of the global khulan population. Inspiring the next generation was at the heart of this year’s Khulan Conservation Day. Middle- and high-school students from 61 schools across the khulan’s range provinces were engaged through interactive learning modules on khulan ecology, designed by WCS and approved by local education departments of the three provinces. Interactive learning sessions on Khulan ecology organized at provincial and soum schools. Crucially, when a nationwide teachers’ strike threatened to pause activities in some areas, local women conservation champions—whom WCS has been engaging throughout the year in leadership and outreach initiatives—took the lead. In places such as Nomgon, Bayandalai, Khatanbulag, and Khuvsgul soums (districts) across Umnugobi and Dornogobi provinces, these champions collaborated with local government to facilitate ecology sessions for over 100 children. Their initiative and dedication ensured that Khulan Conservation Day took place, reflecting the growing local ownership and leadership of conservation efforts. Khulan ecology learning session organized by local women conservation champions in Dornogobi and Umnugobi provinces. Immersive Education and Public Outreach Education extended from the classroom to the field. Thirty middle-school students from Khatanbulag soum school experienced conservation first-hand during a field excursion to the WCS Gobi Ecological Research Station (GERS). Khatanbulag lies at the heart of a critical area for khulans, where these wild equids still move freely across the steppe in their nomadic way of life. Having grown up seeing khulans and other local wildlife around their community, the students were eager to learn more about the species that share their landscape. Under the guidance of WCS researchers and biologists, including Connectivity and Climate Change Manager Dr. Batbayar Galtbalt, the school children learned essential field skills—from using camera traps to observation—building a connection to the wildlife. The enthusiasm was palpable, with one sixth-grade student declaring, “I hope this day never ends.” Field excursion for middle-school students of Khatanbulag soum, the most critical khulan range area. Awareness Efforts Beyond the Gobi While the Gobi remained the heart of Khulan Conservation Day, WCS aimed to inspire participation from across Mongolia—and even beyond its borders. Dance competition submissions from students of provincial schools. Cultural Engagement: A “Khulan Dance” folk dance competition encouraged creative expression. Videos shared online reached wide audiences, with the winning submission from Sainshand, Dornogobi Province, receiving more than 1,000 likes. Global Reach: WCS produced and released online learning materials through its Field Sight portal—accessible in both English and Mongolian—that are now being used to teach 3rd to 5th-grade students at the Bronx Zoo in the USA, globalizing the khulan’s conservation story. Expert Dialogue: A Speaker Series in Ulaanbaatar, featuring Senior Scientist Dr. Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar and Country Director Dr. Justine Shanti Alexander, brought together over 50 conservationists to share the latest research and conservation strategies for khulan and snow leopard. Amplifying Awareness: A dedicated social media campaign successfully engaged more than 100 international and local partners, significantly expanding awareness and advocacy efforts. Winners of the dance competition recieve their prizes. The Ecological Imperative and Policy Response The urgency behind these efforts stems from the khulan’s vital yet increasingly threatened status. The khulan, one of seven wild equid species worldwide, is a keystone of the Gobi–Steppe ecosystem. Its vast, seasonal movements sustain the health and productivity of this arid landscape by dispersing seeds, recycling nutrients, and maintaining balance among vegetation, soils, and wildlife. As one of the few large herbivores capable of traversing hundreds of kilometers across the desert, the khulan plays a central role in connecting fragmented habitats and supporting ecosystem resilience. The khulan also occupies a critical position in the food web, serving as prey for wolves, while their carcasses feed vultures and foxes. These interactions link predator, scavenger, and herbivore communities, shaping the ecological processes that define the Gobi–Steppe. Beyond their ecological importance, khulan embody deep cultural and aesthetic values, symbolizing the spirit of Mongolia’s wild, open landscapes and inspiring both pride and stewardship among local communities. With more than 85% of the global population found in the Mongolian Gobi, Mongolia bears a profound responsibility for the species’ survival. The khulan’s fate is inseparable from that of the Gobi–Steppe itself—a landscape that supports not only migratory wildlife but also the livelihoods of pastoral herding families who depend on its resilience. Protecting the khulan, therefore, is not simply about conserving a single species; it is about safeguarding the ecological integrity, cultural identity, and natural heritage of one of the world’s last great grassland ecosystems. However, the species is Near Threatened due to multiple, compounding challenges. The most significant threat is habitat fragmentation caused by the rapid expansion of linear infrastructure. Nearly 1,000 km of new railways have already been constructed in the South Gobi, and additional lines are planned. This growing challenge is being addressed through broad collaboration among government agencies, including the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Ministry of Road and Transport, and the General Authority for Border Protection, and railway companies. Together, these partners provide policy guidance to promote the implementation of national standards for wildlife passages and wildlife friendly fencing. WCS Mongolia also provides railway companies with scientific data to identify hotspot areas where mitigation measures are most urgently needed. These combined efforts aim to reduce the impacts of new railways in the South Gobi and to improve permeability along the nearly seven-decade-old Trans-Mongolian Railway, facilitating khulan recolonization of their historical range. Beyond infrastructure development, the khulan also faces serious threats from habitat degradation driven by overstocked livestock and unsustainable grazing practices, illegal hunting, and the increasing impacts of climate change, such as prolonged droughts and catastrophic dzud events. Securing the Future Through International Partnership The success of Khulan Conservation Day provides clear direction for the future. As an umbrella species, the khulan's protection ensures the benefits extend widely to the Gobi’s entire ecosystem. The immediate focus remains on securing landscape connectivity— working with partners and authorities to ensure all new infrastructure projects adopt wildlife-friendly design. Looking forward, WCS Mongolia aims to elevate the observance to an International Khulan Conservation Day, inviting collaboration from all range states (Mongolia, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Israel). Making the day an international platform will enable shared achievements, coordinated policy, and strengthened conservation efforts across the species' entire geographical range, with Kazakhstan and China being identified as priority range states for the next steps. By combining science, policy advocacy, conservation action and passionate community engagement, the khulan’s future—and the integrity of the Gobi-Steppe ecosystem—can be secured. We thank Cartier for Nature, Fondation Segré and all our partners for their continued support of Khulan Conservation Day. kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Mon, 10 Nov 2025 02:21:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25533 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25438/WCS-Mongolia-Consolidates-Partnership-with-Uvurkhangai-Arkhangai-and-Bayankhongor-Provinces-for-Khangai-Mountain-Restoration-Project.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=25438 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25438&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25438/WCS-Mongolia-Consolidates-Partnership-with-Uvurkhangai-Arkhangai-and-Bayankhongor-Provinces-for-Khangai-Mountain-Restoration-Project.aspx The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia Program advanced the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded "Rehabilitating and Conserving the Mountain Landscapes in Khangai Region of Mongolia for Improved Ecosystem Services and Community Livelihoods" project through the signing of five-year Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Governors’ Offices of Uvurkhangai, Arkhangai, and Bayankhongor provinces.  The formal signing establishes a clear framework for partnership and effective execution of efforts to restore and protect the Khangai ecosystem, which will run from 2025 to 2030 across eight targeted soums within the three provinces. The MOUs ensure clarity regarding the roles, responsibilities, and mutual contributions of all parties—including WCS Mongolia, the provincial governments, and other partners—towards achieving the project's conservation and development goals. The agreements followed the project's inception workshop, which was co-organized by WCS Mongolia, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).  Participants of the project inception workshop. Dr. Justine Shanti Alexander, WCS Mongolia Country Director, emphasized the importance of provincial partnerships in achieving conservation goals and WCS Mongolia's 2030 Strategy: "The Khangai Mountains are one of Mongolia’s Key Biodiversity Areas, home to unique ecosystems and communities whose livelihoods are deeply connected to this landscape. The signing of these MOUs with Uvurkhangai, Arkhangai, and Bayankhongor marks an exciting step toward restoring the health and resilience of the Khangai ecosystem. True progress can only be achieved through partnership with provincial governments, local herder communities, and the many dedicated organizations working in the region. We look forward to working together to turn our shared vision for a thriving Khangai into reality. "  MoU signed with the Governor of Uvurkhangai Province. MoU signed with the Governor's Office of Arkhangai Province. MoU signed with the Governor's Office of Bayankhongor Province. Learn more about the Khangai Restoration project here.  kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Fri, 24 Oct 2025 09:11:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25438 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25456/WCS-Mongolia-Partners-with-General-Authority-for-Land-Administration-Geodesy-and-Cartography-for-the-Khangai-Mountain-Restoration.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=25456 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25456&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25456/WCS-Mongolia-Partners-with-General-Authority-for-Land-Administration-Geodesy-and-Cartography-for-the-Khangai-Mountain-Restoration.aspx The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia Program signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the General Authority for Land Administration, Geodesy and Cartography (GALAGaC) on October 17, 2025. Through this MoU, the parties will work together to implement the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project “Rehabilitating and Conserving the Mountain Landscapes in the Khangai Region of Mongolia for Improved Ecosystem Services and Community Livelihoods.” The project will be implemented in Bulgan, Chuluut, Ikh-Tamir, and Tsenkher soums of Arkhangai aimag; Bat-Ulzii and Uyanga soums of Uvurkhangai aimag; and Erdenetsogt and Galuut soums of Bayankhongor aimag. The signing marks the beginning of a strong partnership and establishes a clear framework for coordinated actions to restore and protect the Khangai ecosystem. Running from 2025 to 2030, the MoU outlines the roles, responsibilities, and joint commitments of all partners—including WCS Mongolia, as well as national and provincial land office and soum land officers—to achieve the project’s conservation and sustainable development objectives. The GEF-funded project "Rehabilitating and conserving the mountain landscapes in the Khangai region of Mongolia for improved ecosystem services and community livelihoods" is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and executed by WCS Mongolia as the Operational Partner, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) and other relevant government agencies. Learn more about the Khangai Restoration project here.  kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Fri, 17 Oct 2025 09:44:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25456 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25557/WCS-Mongolia-Signs-Memorandum-of-Understanding-with-Mongolian-Transline-LLC-to-Enhance-Wildlife-Friendly-Infrastructure.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=25557 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25557&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25557/WCS-Mongolia-Signs-Memorandum-of-Understanding-with-Mongolian-Transline-LLC-to-Enhance-Wildlife-Friendly-Infrastructure.aspx The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia has entered into a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mongolian Transline LLC, effective October 10, 2025. This partnership aims to bolster wildlife conservation efforts in Dornogovi Province while promoting sustainable infrastructure development. WCS Mongolia, which has been active in the country since 2003, focuses on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem integrity through collaborative strategies involving government, private sector partners, and local communities. Mongolian Transline LLC, responsible for the Zunbayan–Khangi railway project, joins forces to address environmental challenges associated with linear infrastructure. Under the MOU, the two organizations will collaborate on joint research, monitoring, and public awareness initiatives to assess and mitigate the railway's potential impacts on local wildlife. Key activities include evaluating the effectiveness of existing wildlife passages—such as underpasses, overpasses, and level crossings—mapping species-specific movement patterns, and implementing best practices for wildlife-friendly designs. The partnership will also emphasize capacity building through training for engineers and environmental staff, and the development of evidence-based recommendations to minimize barriers like fencing along the rail corridor. These efforts align with Mongolia's national environmental laws and international standards for integrating biodiversity into infrastructure planning. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to safeguarding the unique Gobi steppe ecosystem, ensuring that economic development coexists with ecological health. A joint working group, comprising representatives from both parties, will oversee implementation, conduct regular evaluations, and foster transparent communication. WCS Mongolia Director Dr. Justine Shanti Alexander and Mongolian Transline LLC Director Ts. Baldorj signed the agreement, highlighting the potential for this initiative to serve as a model for future projects nationwide. For more information, contact WCS Mongolia at their Ulaanbaatar office. kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Fri, 10 Oct 2025 13:36:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25557 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25235/Mongolia-Roars-for-Snow-Leopards.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=25235 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25235&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25235/Mongolia-Roars-for-Snow-Leopards.aspx The National Forum on Snow Leopard Conservation convened in Ulaanbaatar on September 5, 2025, serving as a critical platform for inter-organizational and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Co-organized by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia Program, and the Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation (SLCF), this forum highlighted the Ministry’s approval of the Rare Species Protection National Action Plan, which includes snow leopards, in May 2025 and brought partners together to discuss how to collaborate on its implementation. Participants of the National Snow Leopard Forum, held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on September 5, 2025. The forum brought together over 130 stakeholders, including government representatives, scientists, conservationists, and local community members. Snow leopard experts from ten other range countries joined the discussions — meaning 11 of the 12 snow leopard range countries were represented — creating a valuable opportunity for international exchange and for visiting experts to learn from Mongolia’s progress. The forum's theme, "Addressing Emerging Threats and Opportunities," underscored a shared vision for the future of these big cats. A Critical Moment for Mongolia's Snow Leopards Mongolia is a global stronghold for the snow leopard, supporting an estimated 806 to 1,127 adult individuals (2021), hosting the world's second-largest population, after China. They range from the Gobi Desert to the Altai Mountains, including peripheral habitats that form critical corridors connecting populations in Russia and China. This makes the country's conservation efforts critically important for the species' long-term survival. The forum provided an essential platform to review the status of the species and discuss strategies for integrating these findings into key national and international strategies. MECC officials Uranchimeg, Ts. and Baljinnyam, T. speaking at the Forum. Presenters shared encouraging findings from Mongolia’s 2021 published nationwide population assessment, which revealed that the population appears largely connected across its range. However, they warned that this connectivity is at risk. Expanding infrastructure (roads, railways, mining and changing land use) could fragment habitats and isolate populations, a particularly urgent concern given the species’ naturally low genetic diversity. Speakers also reflected that while Mongolia’s protected area network is vital, it covers only part of the snow leopard’s range. Many individuals live outside these areas (with estimated 80 percent of its home range situated outside of protected areas), underscoring the need to work closely with pastoralists, community groups, and local governments to keep habitats linked and secure corridors. WCS Big Cat Director Dr. Luke Hunter speaking at the Forum. International experts, including WCS’s Global Big Cat Director Luke Hunter, emphasized during his presentation that recovering big cat populations after major declines (as seen with tigers) requires enormous investment. Mongolia now has the opportunity to act early, stabilizing snow leopard populations and maintaining connectivity before declines become more severe, a far more cost-effective approach than large-scale recovery efforts later. Collaboration and Innovation: The Path Forward The forum featured breakout sessions where participants worked together to find solutions to three pressing challenges: improving coordination of national monitoring and research, managing unregulated tourism while supporting local livelihoods, and mitigating the impacts of roads and railways on wildlife corridors. International experts share views during Breakout Group discussion on National Coordination of Snow Leopard Research and Conservation. These group discussions produced concrete recommendations, from strengthening a unified national monitoring system to identifying priority corridors for protection and developing practical measures to reduce tourism-related disturbance. The outcomes will feed directly into the next annual review of Mongolia’s Snow Leopard Action Plan, ensuring that new threats are addressed with science-based and collaborative solutions. Building a National Conservation Network The forum concluded with a major achievement: an agreement to establish a National Snow Leopard Network in Mongolia. Supported by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, this network will serve as a central hub for collating and coordinating conservation activities and research, working towards ensuring that future conservation actions and policy development are based on the best available scientific information. WCS Mongolia Senior Scientist Dr. Buuveibaatar, B. speaking about setting up a Snow Leopard Network in Mongolia to coordinate research and conservation at the national level. Participating NGOs formally expressed their endorsement to support this initiative, and WCS together with SLCF agreed to follow up and begin outlining the network’s bylaws and structure to make it a reality. Mongolia has not previously had a formalized network for snow leopard conservation. While collaboration between organizations has been growing, the number of stakeholders involved is increasing, and the threats to snow leopards are becoming more complex and intensifying. Establishing a coordinated network will help align efforts, share data, and respond more effectively to emerging challenges. Hands went up across the room, a visible sign of collective commitment to launch Mongolia’s first national snow leopard network. SLCF Conservation Director Dr. Tserennadmid, M. shares with participants the results of the Forum and the next steps. “With climate change adding new and unpredictable pressures, a national network will be critical to help Mongolia respond quickly and effectively to protect snow leopards into the future.” emphasized WCS Mongolia Senior Scientist Dr. Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar. Expanding the Global and Regional Impact Following the Forum, WCS Mongolia hosted two major scientific workshops at Khustai National Park: the updated IUCN Red List assessment and the first IUCN Green Status of Species assessment for snow leopards. Over two days, experts from 11 range countries worked with the IUCN Cat Specialist Group to reassess the species’ extinction risk at the global level, using the latest population, threat, and distribution data. A snow leopard photo captured on a camera trap set up by WCS Mongolia in Southern Gobi to monitor their population. The Green Status assessment—developed to measure recovery progress and conservation impact—evaluated how far snow leopard populations are from full recovery, the contribution of past conservation efforts, and the potential benefits of future actions. This ongoing work will provide a benchmark for snow leopard conservation globally, with updated results expected in 2026. Thank you to all our national and international partners for their continued support of our snow leopard work. We are especially grateful to the Trust for Mutual Understanding (TMU), Cartier for Nature, and SLCF for supporting these important events, and to our other donors whose contributions make this work possible. Stay tuned for more updates on our snow leopard monitoring and conservation work in Mongolia here. kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Tue, 23 Sep 2025 00:58:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25235 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24901/WCS-Mongolia-Celebrates-22nd-Anniversary-with-Opening-of-Gobi-Ecological-Research-Station.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=24901 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24901&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24901/WCS-Mongolia-Celebrates-22nd-Anniversary-with-Opening-of-Gobi-Ecological-Research-Station.aspx [Mongolian Below] Khatanbulag, Dornogobi Province - The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia marked its 22nd anniversary of its work in Mongolia with the opening of its new Gobi Ecological Research Station (GERS) in Khatanbulag soum of Dornogobi Province, on August 8, 2025. The new station is a dedicated hub for wildlife research, conservation, and community engagement in the heart of Mongolia's Gobi-Steppe ecosystem—the first of its kind in this ecologically special part of the province. Khatanbulag soum Governor Naranmunkh speaks at the opening ceremony of GERS. Khatanbulag, strategically located in a key corridor for wildlife, is home to the country’s largest remaining population of Asiatic wild ass (khulan). This remarkable landscape also supports globally significant populations of threatened species, from goitered and Mongolian gazelles to argali sheep, wolves, lynx, and Pallas’s cats, along with a rich diversity of migratory birds. Map showing GERS location in Khatanbulag soum, Dornogobi province. The new station comes at a critical time. The integrity of Gobi's vast landscape is increasingly at risk due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and the accelerating impacts of climate change. Tracking change and gathering reliable policy-tuned data to support coordinated action to sustain biodiversity acquires new and increasing importance. Ribbon cutting ceremony of GERS with represenation of WCS Mongolia and partners. The pace of change across this part of the Gobi, driven by infrastructure development and shifting land use, is accelerating. In 2024, more than 1,500 vehicles were recorded in a single day on a nearby mining transportation road. Such infrastructure and development projects are transforming the Gobi-Steppe ecosystem, with long-term implications for wildlife and local communities. Participants of the GERS opening ceremony. GERS will serve as a base for three key priorities. First, it aims to provide support to community members and conservation partners, including two newly formed local conservation groups in Khatanbulag—led in part by local women conservation champions—that are safeguarding over 710 km² of critical habitat. Second, it is an ecological monitoring center, ideally positioned to track the impacts of roads, railways, and climate pressures on wildlife movement and habitats. Third, GERS will support the next generation of Mongolian scientists, offering a dedicated space for WCS and its partners to study the Gobi-Steppe ecosystem and build long-term ecological knowledge. The site around the station has already recorded over 40 bird species in nearby elm forest refuges, and monitoring is ongoing to better understand and highlight the area's ecological value. All participants of the GERS opening ceremony. The opening ceremony brought together a diverse group of participants, including the governor and civil representative council of Khatanbulag soum, officials from the Dornogobi Environmental Protection Agency, representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia and the Mongolian Nature's Legacy Foundation, as well as rangers from the Small Gobi Strictly Protected Area, community members, herders, and local women conservation champions. WCS Mongolia Country Director Dr. Justine Shanti Alexander spoke about the importance of the new facility and the organization's long-standing dedication to the region. "This station is a base for building scientific knowledge, but it's also really about partnerships. We look forward to working closely with all our partners working in the Gobi for preserving its unique biodiversity. In particular, I would like to highlight community groups and the women champions for their dedication to protecting and building a sustainable future for the Gobi." Local women conservation champions who participated in the conservation leadership training by WCS Mongolia. The ceremony featured a ribbon-cutting and unveiling of a Khulan mosaic, followed by presentations on GERS research activities and conservation leadership workshop for local women conservation champions. The event celebrated WCS Mongolia's over two decades of commitment to protecting the Gobi's unique biodiversity and ecological integrity. Khulan mosaic painted by  WCS Mongolia's Communications and Partnership Officer Khash-Erdene Bayarsaikhan at GERS. Thank you to Cartier for Nature and other partners for making GERS possible. Байгаль, зэрлэг амьтдыг хамгаалах нийгэмлэг нь “Говийн экологийн судалгааны суурин”-гийн нээлтээ хийж 22 жилийн ойгоо тэмдэглэлээ Дорноговь аймгийн Хатанбулаг - Байгаль, зэрлэг амьтдыг хамгаалах нийгэмлэг (WCS) нь Монгол Улсад үйл ажиллагаа явуулж эхэлсний 22 жилийн ойг тохиолдуулан “Говийн экологийн судалгааны суурин”-гаа Дорноговь аймгийн Хатанбулаг суманд 2025 оны 8-р сарын 8-ны өдөр нээлээ. Тус суурин нь Монгол орны говь, хээрийн зэрлэг амьтдыг судлах, хамгаалах, байгаль хамгаалалд нутгийн иргэдийн оролцоог хангах зорилготой байгуулагдсан. Хатанбулаг сум нь Монгол орны хулангийн хамгийн том сүргийг агуулдагаараа онцлогтой. Мөн энэ бүс нутагт Монголд төдийгүй дэлхийд ховор аргаль хонь, хар сүүлт, цагаан зээр, саарал чоно, шилүүс, мануул болон олон зүйлийн суурин болон нүүдлийн шувууд тохиолдоно. Говь, хээрийн өргөн уудам нутаг нь амьдрах орчны алдагдал, хуваагдал болон уур амьсгалын өөрчлөлтийн эрчимжиж буй нөлөөллийн улмаас улам доройтох өндөр эрсдэлтэй тулгараад байна. Ийм нөхцөлд биологийн олон янз байдлыг хамгаалж, хадгалах үйл ажиллагааг үр дүнтэй хэрэгжүүлэхийн тулд байгаль орчны эрсдэлийг тогтмол хянах, бодлогод ашиглаж болохуйц чанартай өгөгдөл, мэдээлэл цуглуулах нь урьд өмнөхөөс ч илүү чухал ач холбогдолтой болж байна. Дэд бүтцийн бүтээн байгуулалт болон газар ашиглалт хэмжээ нэмэгдэхийн хирээр говийн байгальд хурдацтай өөрчлөлт гарч байна. 2024 онд хийсэн судалгаагаар суурин орчмын нүүрс тээврийн замаар өдөрт 1500 хүртэлх тооны тээврийн хэрэгсэл зорчиж буй нь тогтоогдсон бөгөөд энэ нь говийн зэрлэг амьтад болон нутгийн иргэдийн амьдралын хэв маягт олон талын сөрөг нөлөө үзүүлж байна. Энэхүү судалгааны суурин нь гурван чиглэлээр үйл ажиллагаа явуулна. Нэгдүгээрт, байгаль хамгаалах малчдын нөхөрлөл болон нутгийн иргэдэд дэмжлэг үзүүлэх. Тухайлбал, Хатанбулаг суманд 710 км² зэрлэг амьтдын чухал амьдрах орчинг хамгаалах зорилгоор орон нутгийн байгаль хамгаалах хоёр нөхөрлөлийг шинээр байгуулсан бөгөөд эдгээрийг нутгийн эмэгтэйчүүд голчлон манлайлан удирдаж байна. Хоёрдугаарт, энэ суурин нь шинээр байгуулагдаж буй авто болон төмөр замууд, түүнчлэн уур амьсгалын өөрчлөлт нь зэрлэг амьтдын шилжилт хөдөлгөөн, амьдрах орчинд хэрхэн нөлөөлж буйг тандан судална. Гуравдугаарт, тус суурин нь Монголын судлаачдын хойч үеийг дэмжих замаар говь хээрийн экосистемийг гүнзгийрүүлэн судлах, урт хугацааны экологийн мэдлэг, мэдээллийн сан бүрдүүлэхэд чиглэнэ. Одоогоор тус суурингийн ойролцоох хайлаасны төгөлд 41 зүйлийн шувууд бүртгэсэн бөгөөд бид цаашид биологийн олон янз байдлын судалгааг урт хугацаанд гүнзгийрүүлэн хийж тус бүс нутгийн экологийн үнэ цэнийг олон нийтэд таниулна. Суурингийн нээлтийн арга хэмжээнд Хатанбулаг сумын Засаг дарга, Иргэдийн төлөөлөгчдийн хурлын Дарга, Дорноговь аймгийн Байгаль орчны газрын төлөөлөл, Монгол Улс дахь АНУ-ын Элчин сайдын яам, Монголын Байгалийн Өв Сан, Говийн бага дархан цаазат газрын байгаль хамгаалагчид, нутгийн иргэд, малчид, орон нутгийн байгаль хамгаалах салбарын манлайлагч эмэгтэйчүүд оролцлоо. Байгаль, зэрлэг амьтдыг хамгаалах нийгэмлэгийн Монгол дахь төлөөлөгчийн газрын захирал, доктор Жастин Шанти Александр шинэ суурингийн ач холбогдол болон тус байгууллагын энэхүү бүс нутагт урт хугацаанд ажиллах эрмэлзлэлийг нээлтийн үгэндээ онцоллоо. Тэрээр "Энэхүү суурин нь шинжлэх ухааны мэдлэгийг бий болгох үндэс суурь бөгөөд байгаль орчны төлөөх түншлэлийг бий болгоход чухал ач холбогдолтой. Бид говийн өвөрмөц биологийн олон янз байдлыг хамгаалах, хадгалахын төлөө түншүүдтэйгээ нягт хамтран ажиллана гэдэгт итгэлтэй байна. Мөн говийн байгаль хамгаалалд үнэтэй хувь нэмэр оруулж, тогтвортой ирээдүйг цогцлоон бүтээж буй орон нутгийн нөхөрлөлүүд болон манлайлагч эмэгтэйчүүдийг онцлон дурдахыг хүсэж байна” хэмээн хэллээ. Нээлтийн арга хэмжээний үеэр тууз хайчлах ёслол, хулангийн мозайк урлалын нээлт, Өмнийн говьд хэрэгжүүлж буй судалгааны ажлын танилцуулга, орон нутгийн эмэгтэйчүүдэд зориулсан байгаль хамгаалах манлайллын семинар боллоо. Энэхүү арга хэмжээгээр дамжуулан Байгаль, зэрлэг амьтдыг хамгаалах нийгэмлэг нь говийн өвөрмөц биологийн олон янз байдал, экологийн бүрэн бүтэн байдлыг хамгаалахын төлөө 20 гаруй жилийн турш тууштай ажилласнаа тэмдэглэн өнгөрүүллээ. Энэхүү сууриныг байгуулахад дэмжлэг үзүүлсэн "Cartier for Nature" байгууллага болон бусад түншүүддээ баярлалаа. kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Fri, 08 Aug 2025 04:51:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24901 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24696/Mongolia-Approves-Safe-Passage-Plan-for-Khulan.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=24696 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24696&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24696/Mongolia-Approves-Safe-Passage-Plan-for-Khulan.aspx [Mongolian below] In an important step for wildlife conservation, WCS Mongolia, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) and the General Authority for Border Protection (GABP), has initiated and secured approval for a Safe Passage Plan to facilitate the eastward movement of the khulan (Asiatic wild ass, Equus hemionus hemionus) across critical linear infrastructure barriers near Zamiin-Uud, Dornogovi Province. To operationalize these commitments, a multi-stakeholder consultation was convened in May 2025, co-organized with MECC and GABP. The meeting brought together representatives from MECC, the Ministry of Road and Transportation, the General Authority for Border Protection, the Ulaanbaatar Railway Authority (UBRA), the Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA) of Dornogovi and Sukhbaatar, and local governments from Zamiin-Uud, Urgon, and Erdene soums. “Eight agencies and entities approved the Safe Passage Plan, reflecting strong cross-sectoral support and a unified commitment to preserving ecological connectivity for one of Mongolia’s iconic species,” said Dr. Justine Shanti Alexander, Country Director of WCS Mongolia. This initiative demonstrates how science-based planning, government leadership, and inter-agency collaboration can align infrastructure development with conservation goals. WCS Mongolia will continue working with all partners to monitor the implementation of the Safe Passage Plan and to promote long-term connectivity for khulan in Mongolia’s fragile steppe ecosystems. We look forward to engaging new partners in this effort. Special thanks to all our partners for making this possible, and to Fondation Segré for funding this important initiative. Хулангийн шилжилт хөдөлгөөнийг хангах “Аюулгүй гарц” санаачилгыг албан ёсоор эхлүүлэв WCS -ийн санаачилсан “Хулангийн аюулгүй гарцын төлөвлөгөө” төрийн байгууллагуудын оролцоот дэмжлэгтэйгээр албан ёсоор батлагдлаа.  Энэхүү төлөвлөгөө нь ховор зүйл болох хулангийн (Equus hemionus hemionus) зүүн бүс  нутаг болох түүхэн тархац нутаг руугаа  шилжин нүүдэллэхэд нь дэмжих улмаар шугаман байгууламжийг амжилттай гаргах түүнчлэн хил дагасан нүүдэлд дэмжлэг үзүүлэх зэрэг зорилготой юм. Тухайлбал, Дорноговь аймгийн Замын-Үүд орчмын төмөр зам, авто зам зэрэг голлох шугаман байгууламжийн төвлөрөл байна. Энэхүү санаачилгыг хэрэгжүүлэх хүрээнд 2025 оны 5-р сард WCS Монгол нь Байгаль орчин, уур амьсгалын өөрчлөлтийн яам (БОУӨЯ) болон Хил хамгаалах ерөнхий газар (ХХЕГ)-тай хамтран олон талын оролцогчдын зөвлөгөөнийг зохион байгуулсан. Уулзалтад дараах байгууллагуудын төлөөлөл оролцсон байна: БОУӨЯ, Зам, тээврийн хөгжлийн яам, ХХЕГ, Улаанбаатар Төмөр Замын Удирдах Газар (УБТЗ), Дорноговь болон Сүхбаатар аймгийн Байгаль орчны газар (БОГ), мөн Замын-Үүд, Өргөн, Эрдэнэ сумдын Засаг дарга нар юм. Монгол дахь WCS-ийн Захирал, доктор Жастин Шанти Александер хэлэхдээ: “ Эдгээр голлох 8 байгууллага хамтран энэхүү төлөвлөгөөг баталж байгаа нь хулангийн амьдрах орчныг хамгаалах, шилжилт хөдөлгөөн болоод экологийн холбоосыг хадгалахад чиглэсэн салбар хоорондын  уялдаа холбоог хангасан, дэмжлэг юм” гэв. Энэхүү санаачилга нь шинжлэх ухаанд суурилсан судалгаа, төлөвлөлт, төрийн байгууллагуудын манлайлал, байгууллага хоорондын үр дүнтэй хамтын ажиллагаа нь дэд бүтцийн хөгжлийг байгаль хамгааллын зорилгуудтай уялдуулах боломжтойг үүгээр харуулж байгаа юм. Цаашид WCS нь бүх түнш байгууллагуудтайгаа нягт хамтран ажиллаж, хулангийн аюулгүй гарц бүхий газаруудад мониторинг хийх юм. Монгол орны эмзэг говь-хээрийн экосистемд  экологийн холбоосыг хадгалах ажлыг анхааран ажиллах болно. Говийн зэрлэг амьтдын чөлөөтэй нүүдэллэх боломжийг бүрдүүлэх чухал ач холбогдолтой энэхүү ажлыг дэмжсэн бүх түншүүддээ болон чухал санаачлагыг санхүүжүүлсэн Fondation Segré-д онцгойлон талархал илэрхийлье. kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Fri, 27 Jun 2025 10:43:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24696 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24693/Herder-Rangers-Leading-Conservation-in-Southern-Mongolia.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=24693 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24693&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24693/Herder-Rangers-Leading-Conservation-in-Southern-Mongolia.aspx Sustainable conservation initiatives depend on the engagement and leadership of local communities, particularly those who regularly interact with wildlife and nature. In Mongolia, where approximately a third of the population practice nomadic or semi-nomadic pastoralism, this collaborative approach is essential. While Mongolia's nomadic traditions have sustained communities for millennia, rapid changes, including climatic shifts, economic development, and technological advancements, present both new challenges and opportunities for these traditional ways of life. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia program works to balance environmental protection with sustainable development to ensure the long-term health of ecosystems and the resilience of local communities. A key part of our 2030 Strategy is strengthening and supporting local leadership, especially among herder communities. These communities possess invaluable traditional knowledge and firsthand experience of the challenges facing Mongolia’s ecological integrity. A Guardian of the Gobi Enkh-Amgalan at home in Nomgon, Umnugobi. L. Enkh-Amgalan, a 65-year-old herder community ranger from Nomgon soum in Umnugobi Province in Southern Mongolia, exemplifies this community-led conservation. For over two decades, Enkh-Amgalan has dedicated himself to monitoring and protecting local wildlife and their habitats. He plays a vital role in informing locally led conservation by observing ecological conditions and changes within community-managed areas. Based at his summer camp, a combination of two gers (Mongolian traditional yurts) and a retrofitted bus, he traverses the arid Gobi daily on his motorbike. With binoculars in hand, he observes the landscape, noting the numbers and behaviors of local species such as argali sheep and ibex. The semi-arid steppe and mountainous terrain he monitors for the community group is home to argali sheep, ibex, and goitered gazelles. He even recalls a rare sighting of five khulan (Mongolian wild ass) during a particularly dry summer. The well Enkh-Amgalan uses to water ibex and argali in Gobi. Wildlife near herder camps can sometimes lead to negative interactions, particularly with snow leopards and grey wolves, but Enkh-Amgalan has found ways to promote coexistence. For over two decades, he has maintained a dedicated refuge area for wildlife near his livestock grazing ground. During the harsh, dry summer months of the gobi, he provides water, a critical and limited resource, to ibex and argali from a nearby well. In extreme "dzud" winters, when ice and snow cover the grass or little grass remains from a harsh summer, he leaves out grass for local wildlife. Other members of his community say his dedication to nature is an inspiration to them. "When there’s a bad winter with dzud (extreme weather condition), ibex die off a lot, but the ones near the refuge area survive," Enkh-Amgalan observed with pride. Ibex that live in the refuge area protected by Enkh-Amgalan and the community group. Supporting Frontline Conservation WCS Mongolia partners with seven herder groups across the southern Gobi, spanning the provinces of Umnogobi and Dornogobi. Some of these communities are formally recognized by local government, while others are in the early stages of organizing and working toward official recognition. Each plays a role in managing natural resources in their respective landscapes. Together, they help protect 3,184 km2 of the Gobi steppe ecosystem. In Umnogobi, these areas form a vital corridor between two protected areas, supporting the movement of wide-ranging and migratory species that depend on connected landscapes for survival. This work includes supporting community-driven conservation activities in the Gobi, including empowering and equipping local conservation champions such as Enkh-Amgalan to contribute to the maintenance and restoration of biodiversity and ecological integrity at a landscape level. Enkh-Amgalan riding his motorbike on patrol. As a herder ranger, Enkh-Amgalan plays a central role in conservation efforts, regularly patrolling and observing the natural environment. "I’m at the frontline of conservation. We’re always out in nature. Day and night we are here, observing and patrolling. I encounter incidences often," he explains. One of the biggest challenges for herder rangers like Enkh-Amgalan is keeping a reliable record of what they observe. "The thing we need most is a tool to document these incidents, such as a camera," he explains. Enkh-Amgalan and WCS Mongolia staff observing the landscape. SMART (spatial monitoring and reporting tool) has been introduced to herder community rangers by WCS Mongolia to support documenting wildlife, tracking human activities, and recording any unusual ecological changes. This technology facilitates immediate reporting of observations, locations (using GPS), and patrol distances, offering a structured approach for the community to understand what is happening in their area and take suitable preventative or adaptive measures. Enkh-Amgalan notes that SMART has significantly improved his ability to monitor wildlife and document human activities across the landscape. Enkh-Amgalan sharing strories about his patrols with WCS Mongolia staff at home. "If there’s no photo, I’m not sure anyone would believe me," he shares. SMART enables him to log monitoring routes, record distances (revealing he covers "70-80 km" daily, up from the "40-50 km" he previously estimated), and gather detailed information about wildlife presence and ecological conditions. This technological support is crucial for providing accurate, evidence-based data that helps guide community decisions and informs local government conservation efforts. Shared annually with local authorities, this data not only builds transparency and trust but also helps elevate the voices of herder communities and ensures their efforts are recognized and supported. Values Passed Down for Generations Enkh-Amgalan's personal motivation stems from a deep-rooted connection to nature, influenced by his father's teachings. "My father loved nature... He used to tell me that if I pursue hunting and alcohol, it would destroy my life. That’s why I chose to become a community ranger,” he shared. “We don’t get paid, but I’m living by my father’s words. I just want to protect nature. So here I am working with my bare hands. It’s by my own volition that I do this work." WCS Mongolia is also learning from community rangers like Enkh-Amgalan, as traditional conservation know-how and culture are invaluable. Herder rangers like Enkh-Amgalan are not just observers — they are a bridge, guiding communities toward informed, proactive actions to conserve their pastures and landscapes. Enkh-Amgalan surveys the landscape out when monitoring a route. His efforts, alongside those of other community members, have brought tangible contributions to local conservation efforts despite the challenges of human-wildlife coexistence and conflicts.   We thank to Cartier for Nature for their generous support, SMART Partnership, Small Gobi Strictly Protected Area, and Nomgon Soum Environmental Agency and the Government of Mongolia for their collaboration, and all herder groups and their members for their commitment. These partnerships have been essential in making this work possible.  All photos by Benjamin Buckland.   kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Fri, 27 Jun 2025 01:27:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24693 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24578/Conservation-of-the-Gobi-snow-leopard-A-study-in-Khurkh-Mountain-Range.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=24578 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24578&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24578/Conservation-of-the-Gobi-snow-leopard-A-study-in-Khurkh-Mountain-Range.aspx [Mongolian below] Blog by Bayarmaa Chuluunbat, Wildlife Biologist at WCS Mongolia. Many people think of snow leopards as elusive wild cats roaming the snow-covered high mountains. However, few would believe that this species, often referred to as the “ghost of the mountains,” also occurs in the harsh, arid climate of the Gobi Desert, where food and water are scarce. Mongolia’s Gobi region forms an important habitat for snow leopards. Despite their broad distribution from the Altai-Sayan, Tian Shan, and Pamir Mountains to the arid ranges of the Gobi Desert, many aspects of the snow leopard ecology, behavior and evolution remain unsolved questions. As a beautiful and enigmatic wild cat, the snow leopard has long fascinated researchers and conservationists. A snow leopard captured on WCS Mongolia camera trap on March 15, 2025 in Khurkh Mountain, Umnugobi Province. Snow leopards are recognized in conservation science as an umbrella species. This means that their conservation can help protect a wide range of other species within the same ecosystem. Protecting snow leopards habitats may also support the conservation of their prey, such as argali sheep and ibex, and by extension, the plant communities that sustain those herbivores. In resource-limited situations, focusing on such species can be one of the most efficient ways to maintain biodiversity. Mongolia is home to the world’s second-largest population of snow leopards (estimated at around 950 adult individuals), offering the country a unique opportunity to lead in their research and conservation. These cats inhabit Mongolia’s mountainous regions, including the Altai, Khangai, and Gobi Mountain ranges. The snow leopard population in the Gobi Desert faces unique challenges. This arid and resource-scarce environment, where water likely acts as a limiting resource, presents distinct ecological conditions, snow leopards have even been observed digging for water in this landscape. In addition to contending with the region’s harsh climate and terrain, snow leopards in the Gobi are increasingly threatened by mining, railways, and road infrastructure, as the area's lower elevation and more accessible terrain make it readily susceptible to development. The Khurkh Mountain Range in Southern Gobi. The South Gobi is changing fast, with over 140 active mining licenses and several new railway projects shaping the region’s future. This rapid development presents an opportunity to align economic growth with biodiversity conservation at the landscape level by integrating sustainable practices and effective regulation. Snow leopards require vast, connected landscapes to maintain viable populations. In Mongolia, a very rough estimate suggests that approximately 100,000 km² of connected habitat may be necessary to support a long-term viable population of at least 500 individuals. This underscores the importance of landscape connectivity for the species' conservation. Enhancing science-based monitoring and long-term conservation planning focused on these wide-ranging needs can help safeguard wildlife habitats and migration corridors amid ongoing changes. Research on snow leopards provides valuable insights into the broader ecological health of the region, supporting efforts to balance development with the conservation of the gobi ecosystem. The WCS Mongolia program has re-initiated its snow leopard monitoring study in the Khurkh Mountain Range in Nomgon soum, Umnugobi province — the northeasternmost part of the snow leopard's known range in the world. This region is a vital ecological corridor connecting the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park and the Small Gobi Strictly Protected Area. Protecting and understanding this corridor could serve as a critical steppingstone for snow leopards to recover and expand into adjacent areas of Inner Mongolia in China, contributing to the species’ broader regional conservation. In addition to snow leopards, the area is also a refuge for other rare nomadic species such as argali sheep, ibex, and goitered gazelle. However, the area is now facing new threats, including planned linear infrastructure projects that, if not carefully designed with wildlife in mind, could isolate the population by cutting off connections to the rest of the snow leopard range. Argali sheep in Gobi. In our field research, we emphasize not only the collection of robust ecological data but also the participation of local communities. Snow leopards sometimes prey on livestock, leading to negative interactions with herders. Our study is implemented with the support of community herder rangers and other local stakeholders. By engaging local communities in the research, we were able to identify critical snow leopard habitats, understand rangeland use patterns, and map areas of potential high human-wildlife conflict. In February 2025, our team successfully redeployed camera traps in the Khurkh Mountain Range to restart long-term monitoring that began in 2017/2018. Community rangers and herders joined the effort as integral members of the research team. The presence of fresh signs such as scrapes, scent marks, and scats at selected locations confirmed snow leopard presence. We also recorded other rare species such as argali sheep, ibex, and goitered gazelle in the study area. A month after the camera traps were set up, a sample check of five cameras revealed snow leopard images from four cameras — a promising indication that snow leopards are roaming these rugged mountains. In four months, we will return to check and recharge the cameras and continue long-term monitoring. We look forward to sharing more updates and insights from this ongoing research in the coming year. Camera trap setup by WCS Mongolia team. We thank the Sabin Snow Leopard Grant for supporting this survey. We also acknowledge the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Small Gobi A Protected Area rangers and staff, and the local herder teams for their support during this work.   Говийн бүс дэх цоохор ирвэсийн хамгаалал: Хөрхийн нуруунд хэрэгжиж буй ирвэсийн судалгаа Олон хүмүүс цоохор ирвэсийг мөнх цаст цавчим өндөр уулсад амьдардаг гэдгээр нь сайн мэдэх байх. Харин “snow leopard” буюу цасны ирвэс гэж нэрлэгддэг энэ зэрлэг муур хатуу ширүүн уур амьсгалтай, идэш тэжээл, усны нөөц хязгаарлагдмал хуурай говьд амьдардаг гэвэл итгэх хүн ховор биз ээ. Тэгвэл Монгол орны говь нутаг цоохор ирвэсийн чухал амьдрах орчны нэгээхэн хэсгийг бүрдүүлдэг. Цоохор ирвэс нь Алтай Саян, Тянь Шань, Памирийн уулсаас эхлэн Монголын говь цөлийн уулс хүртэл өргөн нутагт тархан амьдардаг. Гэсэн ч тэдний зан төлөв, экологи, эволюцын олон чухал асуудал одоог хүртэл бүрэн тайлагдаагүй хэвээр байна. Энэ ч утгаараа цоохор ирвэс нь байгаль хамгаалагчид, судлаачдын анхаарлыг олон жилийн турш тасралтгүй татсаар ирсэн оньсого мэт амьтан билээ. Цоохор ирвэсийг байгаль хамгааллын биологид “шүхэр зүйл” гэж тодорхойлдог. Энэ нь ирвэсийг хамгаалснаар түүнтэй нэг экосистемд зэрэгцэн амьдардаг бусад биологийн төрөл, зүйлүүдийг давхар хамгаалах боломж бүрддэг гэсэн үг юм. Тухайлбал, цоохор ирвэсийг хамгаалснаар түүний гол идэш тэжээл болох аргаль, янгир зэрэг өвсөн тэжээлтнүүд, тэдгээрийн хоол тэжээл болсон ургамал ч гэсэн хамгаалагдах боломжтой. Тийм болохоор цоохор ирвэс шиг шүхэр зүйл амьтдыг хамгаалснаар бид биологийн олон янз байдлын хамгаалалд бодит хувь нэмэр оруулах боломж бүрдэнэ.   Монгол улс дэлхийн хэмжээнд ховордоод буй цоохор ирвэсийн хоёр дахь том популяцийг тэтгэдэг. Судалгаагаар манай улсад дунджаар 950 орчим цоохор ирвэс амьдардаг гэж үздэг. Энэхүү чухал тоон үзүүлэлт нь Монголыг дэлхийн хэмжээнд энэ зүйл амьтны судалгаа, хамгааллын төв болгож, манлайлах боломжийг олгож байна. Цоохор ирвэс нь Монголын уулархаг нутгаар — Монгол Алтай, Говийн Алтай, Хангайн салбар уулсаар тархан амьдардаг. Тэр дундаа говийн бүсэд амьдрах ирвэсүүд илүү эмзэг нөхцөлд дасан зохицдог. Усны хомсдолоос болж тэд заримдаа газар малтан ус гаргахыг оролдож байсан тохиолдол ч бүртгэгдсэн. Гэвч тэд зөвхөн байгалийн бэрхшээлтэй тэмцэх бус, хүний үйл ажиллагаанаас үүдэлтэй дарамттай ч давхар тулгарч байна. Сүүлийн жилүүдэд уул уурхай, төмөр зам, авто зам зэрэг дэд бүтцийн хурдацтай хөгжил нь говийн бүсийн зэрлэг амьтдын амьдрах орчинд ноцтой дарамт учруулж эхэлсэн. Ялангуяа Өмнөговь аймгийн нутагт 140 гаруй ашигт малтмалын тусгай зөвшөөрөл олгогдож, хэд хэдэн шинэ төмөр зам баригдахаар төлөвлөгдөөд байна. Ийм нөхцөл байдал нь эдийн засгийн хөгжил, байгаль хамгааллыг уялдуулан төлөвлөх шаардлагатайг тод харуулж байна. Цоохор ирвэсийн урт хугацаанд амьдрах чадвартай популяцийг дэмжихийн тулд ойролцоогоор 100,000 км² хэмжээтэй, хоорондоо холбоотой амьдрах орчин шаардлагатай байдаг. Энэ нь тэднийг экосистемийн бүрэн бүтэн байдлыг илэрхийлэгч “индикатор” зүйл болгож байгаа бөгөөд тэдний шилжилт хөдөлгөөн, амьдрах орчныг хамгаалах нь бүс нутгийн экосистемийн тогтвортой байдлыг хадгалахад зайлшгүй чухал алхам юм. Байгаль, зэрлэг амьтдыг хамгаалах нийгэмлэг (WCS Mongolia) нь дэлхийн цоохор ирвэсийн тархалтын хамгийн зүүн хойд хязгаар болох Өмнөговь аймгийн Номгон сумын нутаг дэвсгэрт орших Хөрхийн нуруунд ирвэсийн мониторинг судалгааг дахин эхлүүлээд байна. Энэ бүс нутаг нь Говь Гурвансайханы байгалийн цогцолборт газар болон Говийн Бага дархан цаазат газрын хооронд байрлах экологийн чухал коридор юм. Энэхүү коридор нутгийг судалж, хамгаалах нь зөвхөн Монгол дахь популяцийг тогтвортой байлгах бус, цаашлаад ирвэсийн тархалтыг Өвөр Монголын хил дамнасан нутаг руу сэргээн тэлэх боломжийг бүрдүүлэх стратегийн ач холбогдолтой алхам болно. Цоохор ирвэсээс гадна тус бүс нутаг нь аргаль, янгир, хар сүүлт зэрэг нэн ховор туруутан амьтдын чухал амьдрах орчин юм. Гэвч сүүлийн жилүүдэд тус бүс нутагт хэрэгжихээр төлөвлөгдөж буй төмөр зам болон бусад шугаман дэд бүтцийн төслүүд нь зэрлэг амьтдын шилжилт хөдөлгөөний холбоосыг таслах, улмаар ирвэсийн тархац нутгийг хуваах эрсдэл дагуулж байна. Иймээс эдгээр бүтээн байгуулалтыг байгальд ээлтэй байдлаар төлөвлөж, хэрэгжүүлэх нь нэн тэргүүний шаардлага болоод байна. Бид энэхүү судалгаа хийхдээ зөвхөн экологийн мэдээлэл цуглуулахаас гадна орон нутгийн иргэдийн оролцоог чухалчилсан. Цоохор ирвэс зарим тохиолдолд мал барьдаг тул малчидтай зөрчил үүсэх нөхцөл бүрддэг. Иймээс бид судалгаагаа малчид, идэвхтэн байгаль хамгаалагчид болон орон нутгийн хамтрагч талуудын дэмжлэгтэйгээр хэрэгжүүлж байна. Тэднийг энэхүү судалгаанд идэвхтэй оролцуулснаар цоохор ирвэсийн чухал амьдрах орчин, хүн–зэрлэг амьтны зөрчил үүсэх эрсдэлтэй бүсүүдийг тодорхойлох гэх мэт чухал үр дүнд хүрэх боломжтой. 2025 оны хоёрдугаар сард бид гурван багт хуваагдан ажиллаж, Хөрхийн нурууны сонгосон цэгүүдэд автомат камер дахин суурилууллаа. Энэхүү мониторингийн ажил нь анх 2017–2018 онд эхэлсэн ба энэ удаад орон нутгийн малчид болон идэвхтэн байгаль хамгаалагчдын оролцоо илүү нэмэгдсэн нь онцлогтой байлаа. Бид камеруудыг цоохор ирвэсийн шинэхэн ул мөр, үнэрт тэмдэг, бумбатай газруудад суурилуулсан. Мөн судалгааны хугацаанд ховор туруутнууд болох аргаль, янгир, хар сүүлтийг бүртгэсэн. Камеруудыг байршуулснаас нэг сарын дараа хийсэн шалгалтаар таван камераас дөрөвт нь цоохор ирвэсийн дүрс бичлэг бүртгэгдсэн нь энэ бартаат уулсын бүс нутгаар ирвэс идэвхтэй нутаглаж байгааг харуулсан баярт мэдээ байлаа. Бид ирэх есдүгээр сард дараагийн судалгааны ажлыг төлөвлөж байгаа бөгөөд энэ үеэр камерын зургуудыг хураан авах, зайг нь солих, шаардлагатай газарт нэмэлт камер суурилуулах ажлуудыг гүйцэтгэнэ. Ирэх онд бид энэхүү судалгааны ажлынхаа талаарх олон шинэлэг мэдээлэл, үр дүнг хуваалцахыг тэсэн ядан хүлээж байна. Энэхүү чухал судалгааг дэмжиж ажилласан “Sabin Snow Leopard Grant” сан, Байгаль орчин, уур амьсгалын өөрчлөлтийн яам, Говийн бага дархан цаазат газрын А хэсгийн хамгаалалтын захиргаа болон малчдын нөхөрлөлүүдэд гүн талархал илэрхийлье. kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Thu, 22 May 2025 06:27:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24578 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24553/New-GEF-Funded-Project-Launched-to-Restore-Khangai-Mountain-Landscapes.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=24553 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24553&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24553/New-GEF-Funded-Project-Launched-to-Restore-Khangai-Mountain-Landscapes.aspx Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Mongolia, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), is launching a five-year project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Beginning in May 2025, the project aims to support the rehabilitation of the Khangai mountain landscapes and improve livelihoods for local communities in Central Mongolia. The project, titled "Rehabilitating and Conserving the Mountain Landscapes in Khangai Region of Mongolia for Improved Ecosystem Services and Community Livelihoods," aims to restore 23,800 hectares of degraded land, improve management of 634,000 hectares, and empower 10,000 people across eight soums in Arkhangai, Bayankhongor, and Uvurkhangai aimags. Key components include nature-based solutions (NbS), integrated land management, community-based natural resource management (CBNRM), and knowledge sharing. “This new GEF-funded initiative reflects FAO’s commitment to restoring vital ecosystems and strengthening community resilience in Mongolia. We are pleased to collaborate with WCS and our national partners to deliver tangible results for both people and the environment,” said Vinod Ahuja, FAO Representative ad interim to Mongolia. “This GEF-funded project is a step toward reversing environmental degradation and empowering communities to sustainably manage their landscapes,” said Dr. Justine Shanti Alexander, Country Director of WCS Mongolia. “It aligns with WCS Mongolia’s Program Strategy for 2030, Mongolia’s Vision 2050 and global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” WCS Mongolia will lead the implementation, working closely with FAO, MECC, local governments, communities, and private sector partners.   For more information on the partner organizations involved, please visit the FAO website at https://www.fao.org/mongolia/en and the GEF website at https://www.thegef.org. kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Thu, 15 May 2025 02:09:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24553 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24499/WCS-Mongolia-Strengthens-Local-Partnerships-for-Conservation.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=24499 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24499&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24499/WCS-Mongolia-Strengthens-Local-Partnerships-for-Conservation.aspx The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia has formalized enhanced collaborations with the provincial governments of Umnugobi, Dornogobi, and Sukhbaatar through newly signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). Collectively, these provinces encompass over 23% of Mongolia's territory, stretching from the arid Gobi Desert to the eastern grasslands. These strengthened partnerships underscore the vital role of local governance and community engagement in preserving Mongolia's diverse ecosystems and migratory species. WCS's renewed engagement in Sukhbaatar province, where the organization previously supported community conservation efforts a decade ago, marks a return to conservation action in the Eastern Steppe. In Dornogobi, the focus continues to be supporting functional mobility of nomadic wildlife and initiating new community-led conservation initiatives to promote ecological connectivity. Meanwhile, in Umnugobi, WCS is actively collaborating with over five herder groups on climate adaptation strategies and the protection of wildlife refuges. “Local governments are central for sustainable conservation. These MoUs align WCS Mongolia Program Strategy 2030 and our support for locally led conservation,” shares Bolortsetseg Sanjaa, WCS Mongolia's Conservation Governance & Community Manager. Sukhbaatar: Safeguarding the Eastern Steppe WCS Mongolia Director Dr. Justine Shanti Alexander and Governor of Sukhbaatar Province M. Iderbat   In Sukhbaatar province, the newly signed MoU represents the first formal collaboration between WCS and the provincial government in 10 years. This region contains vital calving grounds and migration routes for Mongolian gazelles, goitered gazelles, and the expanding population of khulan moving eastward into their historical range. Noting that the eastern steppe is a critical stronghold for wildlife, the Sukhbaatar Environmental Department emphasized prioritizing restoration of migration routes and protecting ungulate calving grounds. Key activities under the partnership include initiating SMART ranger patrol monitoring outside protected areas in priority sites. The focus is on working with local governments to prevent threats such as illegal hunting and promote conservation awareness among communities living alongside wildlife. Dornogobi: Addressing Infrastructure and Mining Pressures Governor of Dornogobi Province O. Batjargal and WCS Mongolia Conservation Governance and Community Manager S. Bolortsetseg In Dornogobi, where WCS has supported conservation for over 20 years, the renewal of its MoU responds to the province’s increasing ecological pressures. With infrastructure corridors and mining rapidly expanding across the landscape, the partnership will focus on mitigating habitat fragmentation, strengthening law enforcement, and ensuring ecological corridors remain connected for wildlife. The Dornogobi Environmental Department noted that as one of the provinces most affected by mining and roads, the province is seeking to balance development with conservation. Umnugobi: Enhancing Ecological Integrity and Creating Space for Wildlife WCS Mongolia Director Dr. Justine Shanti Alexander and Governor of Umnugobi Province N. Enkhbat In Umnugobi province, WCS is collaborating with five herder groups to protect a vital wildlife corridor between the Small Gobi A and Gurvansaikhan Strictly Protected Areas. This corridor is essential for maintaining ecological integrity by providing safe passage for species such as the snow leopard, goitered gazelle, and argali sheep. By partnering with local herders, WCS aims to create space for wildlife through sustainable land use practices and habitat restoration efforts. In addition to community engagement, WCS is partnering with protected areas to enhance the effectiveness of these conservation areas. This collaboration focuses on improving habitat management and increasing monitoring efforts. The Umnugobi Environmental Department highlighted the importance of protecting species such as the goitered gazelle, not only for biodiversity but for local cultural and ecological identity. With WCS’s scientific support, they will focus on improving wildlife monitoring to inform conservation action. Enabling Landscape-level Conservation Highilighted in blue are the three provinces of Umnugobi, Dornogobi and Sukhbaatar. These MoUs represent a strategic scaling of landscape-level conservation in Mongolia. By unifying efforts across adjacent provinces, WCS alongside partners is helping build a more resilient network of protected areas, wildlife corridors, and community partnerships that reflect the ecological realities of highly mobile species in Mongolia’s open landscapes. In a country where wildlife migrations can cover thousands of kilometers, and where threats such as habitat fragmentation, climate change, and illegal hunting cross administrative borders, coordinated action is critical. “Partnerships are vital for conservation success. We’re thankful to provincial governments for prioritizing biodiversity conservation at the landscape level. Our collaboration enables us to better protect the ecological integrity of Mongolia’s fragile Gobi and steppe ecosystems,” reflects WCS Mongolia Country Director Dr. Justine Shanti Alexander.   kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Mon, 28 Apr 2025 05:40:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24499 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24340/China-Mongolia-and-Central-Asian-Countries-United-in-Regional-Workshop-to-Accelerate-PPR-Eradication.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=24340 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24340&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24340/China-Mongolia-and-Central-Asian-Countries-United-in-Regional-Workshop-to-Accelerate-PPR-Eradication.aspx From 1–3 April 2025, representatives from China, Mongolia, and Central Asian countries gathered in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for a pivotal regional workshop aimed at accelerating efforts to eradicate Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) by 2030. The workshop focused on the implementation of the “PPR Episystem” approach, which integrates epidemiological, environmental, social, and economic factors to better understand and disrupt the virus’s transmission. Participants at the China, Mongolia, and Central Asia Episystem workshop for PPR eradication, 1-3 April 2025, held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The meeting was graciously hosted by the Mongolian General Authority for Veterinary Services, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, underscoring Mongolia’s commitment to regional cooperation and leadership in the fight against PPR. Organized by the PPR Secretariat (led jointly by the World Organisation for Animal Health and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), the event brought together veterinary and animal health authorities from China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, and Russia. This collaborative initiative was part of the broader PPR Global Control and Eradication Strategy (GCES), launched in 2015 under the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs). The workshop built on the foundations of the PPR Global Eradication Programme (PPR GEP) Blueprint, which was launched in 2022 and emphasizes the need for an episystem-based approach to disease control. The approach aims to identify the complex, dynamic systems that allow the virus to persist and spread, particularly across borders. Workshop Objectives Included: • Raising awareness about the episystem concept and its role in effective PPR eradication. • Facilitating action-oriented discussions on shared PPR risks and emergency response strategies. • Linking the episystem framework to concrete eradication actions at the national and regional levels. • Developing recommendations for integrating the episystem approach into eradication plans. Importantly, the workshop also considered the significant impact of PPR on wildlife species and their role in the broader episystem. Dr. Amanda Fine, Director of One Health at the Wildlife Conservation Society, delivered a presentation highlighting how wildlife populations can be both victims of PPR and potential contributors to its transmission dynamics. Her insights underscored the need for a holistic, One Health approach to eradication that includes the monitoring and protection of wildlife health alongside domestic livestock management. For more information see Outbreak of Peste des Petits Ruminants among Critically Endangered Mongolian Saiga and Other Wild Ungulates, Mongolia, 2016–2017 and Eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus and the Wildlife-Livestock Interface. The history of PPR outbreaks in China and Mongolia from 2014 to 2017—and the close genetic relation of these outbreaks to virus strains found in Central Asia—highlighted the necessity of a coordinated response. Recognizing that episystems often transcend borders, the workshop emphasized the importance of harmonized surveillance, vaccination, and response strategies. As a result of the workshop, participating countries committed to revising their national eradication activities to align with the episystem approach. This includes mapping out episystems using epidemiological and molecular data, concentrating eradication efforts within identified hotspots, and maintaining surveillance in surrounding areas to cut off potential transmission routes. These outcomes will also inform future updates to regional PPR Roadmaps and guide the efforts of Regional Advisory Groups and Regional Economic Communities in fostering continued collaboration across borders. Tue, 22 Apr 2025 08:01:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24340 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24271/Strengthening-the-Future-of-Saiga-Antelope-Key-Outcomes-from-the-Fifth-Meeting-of-Signatories.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=24271 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24271&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24271/Strengthening-the-Future-of-Saiga-Antelope-Key-Outcomes-from-the-Fifth-Meeting-of-Signatories.aspx The Mongolian saiga (Saiga borealis) faces a range of ecological challenges, not only within Mongolia but across its entire range in Central Asia. The Fifth Meeting of Signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Saiga Conservation, held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from March 12-14, 2025, brought together government representatives from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Mongolia—countries where the saiga is found. This important meeting, held under the framework of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), marked a significant moment for global saiga conservation. Since the MOU was first established in 2006, it has provided a platform for countries to align their efforts, share knowledge, and agree on strategies to protect the saiga across its range. This March governments came together to develop a shared strategy for the species, ensuring coordinated action that can lead to real, measurable success. Mongolia’s representatives, including Ts. Uranchimeg from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, supported by WCS Mongolia and WWF Mongolia, were active participants in these discussions. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to highlight the specific threats faced by Mongolia’s saiga population, which is a separate subspecies, found only in the western regions of Mongolia. This subspecies faces unique challenges, particularly due to its limited distribution and harsh environmental conditions. Mongolia has made significant efforts in safeguarding its saiga population, a result of strong collaboration among government agencies, local communities, and conservation organizations. B. Buuveibaatar, WCS Mongolia’s Senior Scientist, presented at the meeting Mongolia’s collective progress in protecting the saiga subspecies in Mongolia. According to a WWF-Mongolia survey completed in late October 2024, the Mongolian saiga population is estimated at 23,215 individuals. Key achievements contributing to this growth include the restoration and protection of natural springs, the establishment of a local Protected Area, and continued efforts to protect vital saiga habitat. Anti-poaching initiatives, such as SMART patrols, have been highly effective, with no recorded illegal hunting incidents in recent years. Despite these successes, Mongolia's saiga population continues to face significant threats. Climate change has intensified extreme weather events like dzuds, which can lead to mass die-offs. Habitat degradation, largely due to increased livestock grazing, remains a concern, while infrastructure expansion is fragmenting migration routes. The risk of wildlife diseases highlights the need for early-warning systems and coordinated vaccination policies. Illegal trade in saiga horns also remains a pressing issue. WCS Mongolia is leading research on the local dynamics of trade using innovative survey methods to inform more effective enforcement. Strengthening stockpile management, improving cross-border cooperation, and disrupting trafficking networks remain critical components of the international conservation agenda. “The progress we’ve seen in Mongolia over the past few years, from increasing the saiga population to engaging local communities, is a testament to what’s possible when we work together,” said B. Buuveibaatar, WCS Mongolia’s Senior Scientist. “But we must remain vigilant, as the Mongolian subspecies remains vulnerable to a number of threats.” Looking ahead, Mongolia’s government agreed to support actions included in the newly developed CMS MoU Work Programme for 2025-2030. These actions prioritize strengthening Mongolia’s protected area network to cover a larger portion of the saiga’s range, reinforcing small, isolated populations to support natural recovery, enhancing early-warning systems for disease outbreaks, and strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration. Additionally, mitigating the impact of infrastructure projects on saiga migration routes, strengthening ranger capacity, establishing data-sharing platforms, and exploring population reinforcement options are crucial aspects of the strategy. At the close of the meeting, the CMS Secretariat proposed Mongolia as the host for the next Meeting of Signatories in 2030—a proposal warmly accepted by the Mongolian delegation and unanimously supported by all participating countries. "The Fifth Meeting of Signatories has strengthened commitment to saiga conservation and outlined a clear roadmap. WCS Mongolia will continue collaborating with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, local communities, and partners to implement the agreed measures," said Justine Shanti Alexander, WCS Mongolia’s Country Director. The upcoming 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP20) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is scheduled to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from November 24 to December 5, 2025. This significant event will bring together range countries again to discuss and make decisions regarding international trade in saiga products, among other topics. The outcomes of CoP20 are expected to play a vital role in shaping global strategies for saiga conservation.   kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Wed, 26 Mar 2025 09:28:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24271 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24143/A-Glimpse-into-the-Changing-Lives-of-Goitered-Gazelles.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=24143 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24143&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24143/A-Glimpse-into-the-Changing-Lives-of-Goitered-Gazelles.aspx The goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), despite possessing the widest distribution range of any ungulate in Mongolia, remains one of the least studied ungulate species globally. While Mongolia harbors the world's largest population of these animals, scientific understanding of their behavior and adaptability is limited. This knowledge gap is particularly concerning given the increasing pressures of habitat fragmentation due to rapid development, especially linear infrastructure like roads and railways, in the gazelle's Gobi Desert habitat. kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:10:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24143 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/23997/A-Galloping-Success-Reflecting-on-Khulan-Conservation-Day.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=23997 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=23997&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/23997/A-Galloping-Success-Reflecting-on-Khulan-Conservation-Day.aspx This October 25th, Mongolia celebrated its first national Khulan Conservation Day! This landmark event, officially recognized by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and supported by WCS Mongolia, aimed to shine a spotlight on the nomadic khulan (Mongolian wild ass) and its vital role in the fragile Gobi-Steppe ecosystem. The day marked a step forward for khulan conservation, bringing together over a hundred academics, conservationists, representatives from key state agencies, international organizations, and private sector stakeholders, young people, and media. Dr. Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar, WCS Mongolia Senior Scientist, reflected, "We've come a long way! I remember when I started my career two decades ago, and khulans were largely overlooked. Today, our scientific understanding of this species has grown tremendously, and we now recognize their vital importance to Mongolia's ecosystem”. Today, khulans symbolize the integrity and resilience of Mongolia’s landscapes, highlighting the critical need for their conservation. Their presence underscores the urgent necessity to keep these ecosystems connected, allowing wildlife to roam freely (without fences, for example). Engaging the Community, Inspiring the Future WCS Mongolia partners closely with pastoral communities and local stakeholders in to promote conservation efforts. In Khatanbulag soum, home to over 40% of khulan population in the region, Khulan Conservation Day activities and school art competition focused on raising awareness and fostering community engagement. Over 40 students, aged 6 to 15, drew khulans and shared their perspectives on this important species. School children participated in interactive sessions led by our Wildlife Biologist Ch.Bayarmaa, who explained how khulans act as engineers of the Gobi ecosystem by digging for water sources that other wildlife depend on, as they need water every 1-2 days, especially during warmer seasons. These engaging sessions included fun quizzes, games, and educational resources about khulan conservation, helping students gain a deeper understanding of this vital species. Bayarmaa also shared with the children, “As a conservationist, I take pride in saying that I grew up in western Mongolia, the land of snow leopards and saiga antelope. Similarly, you have the rare privilege of living alongside khulans, which presents an incredible opportunity to appreciate and protect these unique species.” The children, who see khulans almost daily near their soum center, were fascinated by how these animals adapt to their environment and their role in the ecosystem. The day also marked the establishment of the "Eco Club" at the Khatanbulag soum school, with the goal of inspiring future generations to become khulan conservation champions. Beyond Borders: A Call for Global Action Khulan Conservation Day wasn't confined to Khatanbulag and Ulaanbaatar. Social media public awareness campaigns reached a wider global audience, informing international and local communities about Khulan Conservation Day and the importance of khulan conservation. Teams in Kazakhstan shared social media posts celebrating khulan reintroduction efforts in their country on Khulan Conservation Day, while a khulan researcher from Turkmenistan underscored the day’s significance. The IUCN Equid Specialist Group and the CMS Central Asian Mammal Initiative contributed video messages, emphasizing the importance of this occasion and extending their best wishes for its success. Another special video, produced by Peak.mn, amplified the message further, reaching much wider audiences beyond the conservation community. Dr. Justine Shanti Alexander, Country Director at WCS Mongolia, describes Khulan Conservation Day as "a very special day." The official recognition and ownership by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is crucial. With Mongolia hosting nearly 90% of the global khulan population, it plays a critical role in safeguarding this magnificent species. Could Mongolia lead establishing an International Day with the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS) one day? We hope so. Looking Ahead: International Khulan Conservation Day? The success of the first Khulan Conservation Day paves the way for a stronger commitment to protecting khulans, a remarkable nomadic ungulate known for its record-breaking long-distance movements among terrestrial mammals. Our long-term research in the South Gobi have recorded Khulans traveling 5,000 to 6,000 kilometers annually in search of food and water. Moving forward, WCS Mongolia looks forward to supporting the government in finalizing and gaining national approval for the Khulan Action Plan as the next step. This blog post is just the beginning of an essential conversation. We invite you to join us in advocating for a global Khulan Conservation Day every year on October 25th. Let's honor these nomadic icons, which require over 100,000 square kilometers of interconnected ecosystems to thrive. By ensuring their survival, we preserve a legacy of awe-inspiring wildlife movements, strengthen the health of our shared environment, and foster a global sense of stewardship of all life on Earth. We thank Cartier for Nature, Mongolian Children's Aid and Development Fund, Sustainability East Asia LLC, and Oyu Tolgoi LLC for supporting this initiative.   kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Tue, 03 Dec 2024 05:55:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:23997 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/23763/Enhancing-Collaboration-for-Biodiversity-Conservation-in-Mongolia.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=23763 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=23763&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/23763/Enhancing-Collaboration-for-Biodiversity-Conservation-in-Mongolia.aspx On October 16th, 2024, WCS Mongolia hosted a workshop, with support from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, which brought together over 25 organizations and various stakeholders to strengthen the implementation of Mongolia’s international conventions. The workshop aimed to facilitate coordination and alignment of national activities regarding the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The event helped built momentum towards working together towards Mongolia's global conservation commitments. kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Thu, 07 Nov 2024 01:19:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:23763 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/23047/WCS-Launches-Strategy-to-Safeguard-Mongolias-Ecological-Health.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=23047 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=23047&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/23047/WCS-Launches-Strategy-to-Safeguard-Mongolias-Ecological-Health.aspx The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) today launched its new Mongolia Program Strategy for 2024-2030. Aligned with Mongolia’s Vision 2050 and the priorities of the newly established Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the strategy aims to protect and restore the nation’s vital ecosystems while addressing critical environmental challenges, including climate change. kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Thu, 08 Aug 2024 09:16:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:23047 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22736/Dzuds-Devastating-Impact-How-Mongolias-Wildlife-Struggles-in-Extreme-Winters.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=22736 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22736&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22736/Dzuds-Devastating-Impact-How-Mongolias-Wildlife-Struggles-in-Extreme-Winters.aspx A harsh winter in Mongolia, known as a dzud, has caused heavy livestock losses and is also likely harming the country's wildlife. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is particularly concerned about the impact on the Khulan (Asiatic Wild Ass), an animal already classified as "Near Threatened." kbayarsaikhan@wcs.org Wed, 05 Jun 2024 01:43:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22736 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22416/More-Than-2-Million-Gazelle-Still-Roam-the-Mongolian-Steppe.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=22416 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22416&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22416/More-Than-2-Million-Gazelle-Still-Roam-the-Mongolian-Steppe.aspx A new publication in FirstView in Oryx sheds light on the status of Mongolian gazelle populations across Mongolia, Russia, and China, revealing both successes and challenges in the conservation efforts of this iconic species. Led by a team of dedicated researchers, the study provides the first global population estimates and highlights the threats facing gazelles in their range states. Read the study HERE. The study presents the first nearly range-wide estimate of Mongolian gazelle populations obtained from ground-based surveys across Mongolia and Russia, supplemented with anecdotal accounts of their status in China. The findings underscore Mongolia's crucial role as a stronghold for gazelles, hosting approximately 99 percent of the global population, estimated at around 2.14 million individuals. These results reveal that Mongolian gazelle are one of the most numerous open-plain ungulates on the planet. However, amidst Mongolia's rapid development increasing linear infrastructure development, expanding livestock numbers, habitat degradation, and disease spillover pose significant challenges to the species' survival. Dr. Bayarbaatar Buuveibaatar (Buuvei), WCS Mongolia Senior Scientist and lead author of the study, stresses the importance of adopting comprehensive management strategies to mitigate these threats and preserve gazelle populations. "With the vast population size and extensive range of gazelles in Mongolia, a broad range of management options remain viable," said Dr. Buuvei "It is imperative that we dedicate resources to maintain and potentially enhance their current status." “Globally, these vast herds of Mongolian gazelle that still roam the Mongolian steppe are a unique phenomenon, the sheer size of the herds and their long-distance movements are unique” Tserendeleg Dashpurev, Director of Hustai National Park said. “While Mongolian gazelles are still abundant in the Mongolian steppe, the construction of new railroads threatens to dissect the vast open landscape into several parts,” wildlife ecologist Nandintsetseg Dejid of the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F) in Germany and a co-author of this study says. “If the new railroads are fenced without sufficient wildlife crossing structures, the Mongolian gazelle population could collapse and the largest remaining nomadic system on Earth could be in danger,” she says. “With 2 million Mongolian gazelles, thousands of nomadic people, and millions of livestock at risk, the government of Mongolia and all stakeholders to consider carefully the full ecological and economic benefits of building the new railways. It’s essential to ensure that the new railways provide sufficient wildlife crossing structures to avoid a dramatic decline in population abundance of Mongolian gazelles in the steppe,” Dejid says. Galsandorj Naranbaatar, a co-author and researcher at the Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, emphasizes “the need for collaborative efforts among range countries to establish a unified approach, including the implementation of a standardized survey protocol for monitoring gazelle populations. Such initiatives are pivotal in guiding transboundary conservation efforts aimed at preserving this majestic species.” The ecosystem services they provide include redistributing nutrients as they traverse landscapes, sustaining forage diversity, and serving as prey for predators. Culturally and economically significant, they have been hunted by rural populations for subsistence, and their presence on the steppes instills pride while also offering income opportunities through eco-tourism. The publication recommends the development and implementation of a comprehensive species management plan across the entirety of the gazelle's range. This proactive approach would address the multifaceted challenges facing gazelle populations and secure their long-term viability. The findings presented in Oryx represent a clarion call for action, urging stakeholders to collaborate and implement targeted conservation strategies to protect gazelles and their habitats. WCS Mongolia along with partners are currently working in Eastern Mongolia to safeguard the species. The team is monitoring the status and movement of Mongolian gazelles - gaining a clear understanding of their nomadic routes and key important routes to safeguard. We are also working with an inter-ministry working group - including the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, and the Ministry of Road and Transport Development - and have created standards for railways and fencing. Said Dr. Justine Shanti Alexander, WCS Mongolia Country Director: “We are committed to working with partners to protecting the Mongolian gazelle and Mongolia's intact grasslands. This study highlights more than ever the need to ensure connectivity of these flagship species." jalexander@wcs.org Wed, 01 May 2024 04:02:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22416 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22330/Exploring-Legal-Insights-into-Mongolias-Wildlife-Trade.aspx#Comments 0 https://mongolia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=5560&ModuleID=10898&ArticleID=22330 https://mongolia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22330&PortalID=110&TabID=5560 https://mongolia.wcs.org/en-us/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22330/Exploring-Legal-Insights-into-Mongolias-Wildlife-Trade.aspx We are pleased to release our latest report: "Mongolia’s Wildlife Trade: An Analysis of International and National Legal Best Practices," now available in both Mongolian and English. This report marks the third installment in a series dedicated to understanding and addressing Mongolia's wildlife trade. WCS Mongolia partnered with Legal Atlas and the International Conservation Caucus Foundation to explore the legal frameworks surrounding wildlife trade. The main purpose is to assess the evolution and effectiveness of Mongolia's legal framework in combating illegal wildlife trade. This report builds upon extensive reviews conducted in 2006 and 2019 (see reference below), focusing on policy coherence and its impact on regulating the wildlife trade chain. It also explores legal regulations of online wildlife trade in Mongolia and the connections between wildlife disease and trade. What did the report find? Here's a glimpse: Mongolia's legislation demonstrates a commitment to wildlife conservation, with penalties imposed for offenses related to Very Rare and Rare species, as well as hunting within protected areas. Encouragingly Mongolia is a member of almost all treaties identified as either directly or indirectly related to wildlife trade. However, our analysis revealed some challenges. There are gaps in addressing organized crime's involvement in wildlife trafficking, along with limitations concerning crucial categories such as CITES-listed species and temporarily banned species. Additionally, the report highlights that Mongolia is not just a source country, and its legal environment needs to respond better to transit, illegal imports and re-exports. Dive into the full report for a deeper understanding of the topics and recommendations explored. We invite you to read the entire Report: In Mongolian (2024) In English (2023) Key References: Silent Steppe, the Illegal Wildlife Trade Crisis in Mongolia (2006) Silent Steppe II, Mongolia’s Wildlife Trade Crisis, Ten Years Later (2019) We thank the the US Department of State through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs for funding this work. btsolmon@wcs.org Mon, 15 Apr 2024 06:27:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22330