Wild Horse Takhi
The Takhi are the last remaining wild horses worldwide. It is also known as the (named after the Russian explorer who first discovered the horse in 1878 in Mongolia) is probably the most recognised and successful symbol of the preservation and protection of Mongolia’s diverse and unique wildlife.
The last wild Mongolian Takhi was spotted in the western Gobi in 1966. However, the Mongolian Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment and the Dutch Foundation Reserve of Przewalski Horses reintroduced the first horses in 1992. Mongolian Takhi populations located in Khustai Nuruu in Tov aimag and Bugat soum of Govi-Altai aimag have reached around 200 over the last decade.
In 2004 the 20 Takhi horses will be re-introduced in Khomiin Tal bufferzone of Khar-Us Nuur National Park, with finance from TAKH1, France and WWF Mongolia. Research conducted from 1998 to 2000 concluded that the reintroduction of Takhi to Khomiin Tal was possible due to its low population density and potential to contain up to 500 horses.
Birds in Mongolia
So far 434 species of birds, belonging to 193 genera, 56 families and 17 orders, have been registered and observed in Mongolia. More than 330 species from this are migratory and the remaining 104 species inhabit Mongolia year-round. Approximately 50 species migrate through Mongolia and 20 species are observed here occasionally. The Mongolian Red Book contains a register of 30 bird species, which are not only rare worldwide but are also rare in Mongolia. As an important act of conservation, parts of big lakes and rivers, which are densely inhabited by birds, such as lakes: Khuvusgul, Uvs, Khar-Us, Dayan, Khorgo, Terkhiin Tsagaan, were protected.
The Daguur, Dornod and Numrug Strictly Protected Areas were established in order to protect the Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus, White-naped Crane Grus vipio, Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata, Black Stock Ciconia nigra, Dalamatian Pelican Pelicanus crispus, White Spoonbill Platelea Leucorodia, Baikal Teal Anas formosa, Asiatic Dowitcher Limnodromus semiplamatus and Relict Gull Larus relictus.
Fishes in Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country and is situated in the Center of the Asian continent. So there are only fishes of river and lake varieties in the country. Mongolian rivers and lakes are classified into three basins: Arctic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Central Asia. Animals in each basin create a specific composition. There are 75 species of fish, belonging to 36 genera and 11 families living in the Mongolian water basin. As researchers determined, up to 700 tones of fish could be taken every year from Mongolia’s lakes and rivers at present. According to the Environment Ministry report, since 2000, the fishing quota has decreased year by year. For instance, 322 tons of fish in 2001 and 250 tons in 2002 were allowed.
“The Mongolian Law on Hunting” adopted in 1995, supported by other laws and regulations, has played an important role in the development of fish cultures, and the conservation of fish species in this country. According to the provisions of this law, the Amur Sturgeon Acipenser shrenki and Siberian or Baikal Sturgeon Acipenser Baeri are listed as protected and the Glass ( Chinese ) Carp Ctenogharyngodon idella, Silver Carp Hypophthalmicthys molitrix, and Tench Tinea tinea, are registered as endangered. In addition 6 species of fish have been included in the Mongolian Red Book and necessary measures have been taken to conserve these species. In order to preserve the fish stocks on a larger scale and to maintain favourable conditions for their breeding, several lakes, such as the Khuvsgul, Uvs, Terkhiin Tsagaan, Dayan, Khoton, Khar Us lakes and some important parts of rivers have been categorised as protected areas.
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Animals in Mongolia
Animals adapted to all kind of ecosystems such as forest, steppe, desert, alpine, tundra, talus and water surrounding grove, have established themselves in Mongolia. Many animals, which are frequently spread throughout the Siberian taiga, European-type forests, western Asia and Turan desert, are included in the aforementioned animals. Also there are many endemic species, which are found in only deserts and steppes of Central and Eastern Asia. Mongolia has extinct animals and takes a leading place in the world by its more precious finds of fossils and pre-historic bones.
A total of 138 species of mammals, 449 species of birds , 75 species of fish , 6 species of amphibians and 22 species of reptiles have been registered on the animal kingdom list of Mongolia. Besides these, there are more than 13,000 species of invertebrate, including 516 species of insects, worms, fresh water and terrestrial mollusks in Mongolia. Of the above-mentioned animals 24 mammals are basic hunting animals, 32 hunted by just a few and 4 are not to be hunted. A total of 30 species and sub-species mammals are listed in the rare and very rare classifications of the Mongolian Red Book, which was revised in 1997.
Natural Reserve
Sharga Mankhan consists of two parts; one is located in Buyant and Mankhan soums of Khovd aimag, and the other one is located in Tonkhil, Darvi, Togrog and Khaliun soums of Gobi-Altai aimag. The distance between these two parts is about 200 km. It is a home and last refuge to the Mongolian antelope, which is one of two antelope sub-species that exist on the world. Therefore, this nature reserve is designated to protect the breeding habitat of antelopes.
Batkhaan Mountain - This area is located in Burd soum of Ovorkhangai aimag and Erdenesant soum of Tov aimag. It is a part of the Khangai and Khentee mountainous group and is a vestige of ancient history and culture.
Ugtam Mountain - The area covers 46,160 hectares in northeastern Mongolia, Dornod aimag. Ugtam Uul includes two holy mountains, Ugtam and Khairkhan, and ruins of an important Buddhist monastery. It is a beautiful place located in the frontier area between forest steppe and steppe regions and represents the natural complexity therein. It is peculiar in that the Dornod part of the forest border is pushed in to the south.
Lkhachinvandad Mountain - is located 75 km south from Erdenetsagaan soum center of Sukhbaatar airnag.
Mongolian Steppe
Most parts of the Mongolian territory is occupied with vast steppe. So Mongols are named as Mongol of steppe. There are limitless steppes, vast pastures such as Eastern Mongolia`s steppes, Mongolian Dornod, Dayin Tavgiin, Guulingging, Arvain steppes and innumerable ravines and gorges. When driving flats or galloping at full speed through the herds and flocks of domesticated animals and the sea of fleet- footed antelopes, you will see sights which instantly please the eye and will be impressed on the mind forever. In certain valleys and gorges, the herders’ tents together with herds and flocks, seem like scattered corals and pearls. Readmore…
Nomrog, protected area in Dornod aimag
Nomrog, strictly prohibited area, covers the remote and uninhabited far eastern tip of Mongolia. The area encompasses 311,205 hectares of land along the state border in Sumber soum of Dornod aimag. Ecologically distinct from-the rest of Mongolia, this preserve includes the westernmost end of Khyangan mountain range, which extends into Mongolia from Manchuria, China. The area is relatively wet and one-fifth of the area is forested by small groves of Scotch pine, white birch and willow. Manchurian flora and fauna, which occur nowhere else in Mongolia, are found here, including the Ussurian moose, black-napped oriole, white-breasted rockthush, and great black water snake.
Otgontenger Mountain
Otgontenger Mountain, the highest peak of the Khangai mountain range, is situated in Otgon and Aldarkhaan soums of Zavkhan aimag. Historically, this mountain was initially protected in 1818. This area represents the natural complexity of the Khangai mountain range and is a home to rare and very rare wildlife and bio-diversity.
Mountains in Mongolia
Mongolia is also one of the highest countries in the world, with an average elevation of 1580m. Mongolia’s highest mountains, The Mongol Altai Mountains are situated in the western part of Mongolia stretching for 600-650 kilometres and were structured by thin hills, hollows and straight precipitous crags, which have a height of more than 4,000 meters. Khuiten peak of the Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain, which is the highest point of Mongolia. The peak is 4,374 meters above sea-level. There are magnificent glaciers in the highest parts of the Mongol Altai range towering over Mongolia, Russia and China, and the humps and hollows of the ice-age period were kept open in Khuvsgul, Khangai, Khentii and Altai Mountains. The far northern areas of Khuvsgol and Khentii provinces are essentially the southern reaches of Siberia and are covered by larch and pine forests known by the Russian word taiga.
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