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.