Conservationists conducted an unplanned inspection in the western part of the Great Gobi Biosphere Reserve such as Takhi Us, Khoni Us, Tavan Tolgoi, Shal Khar, Gun Tamga, Shiriin Us, Khundlungiin Uvur, and Khaltar Tolgoi.
A total of 163 Przewalski’s horses known as “Takhi” and 1,200 Mongolian Asiatic Wild Ass known as “Khulan” have been registered through the implementation of wild animal monitoring research. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism informed that, within the framework of the “Future Explorer-2023” program, eco-club students of the secondary school of Uyench soum of Khovd Province attended the trip in the Bayanburd, Khalzan, Burgedei and Yolkhon, and research managers, experts and conservationists of “International Takhi Group” advised the students during the field practice.
The Mongolian wild ass, also known as Mongolian khulan, is the nominate subspecies of the onager. It is found in southern Mongolia and northern China. It was previously found in eastern Kazakhstan and southern Siberia before being extirpated there through hunting. As of 2015, the Mongolian wild ass is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Current population estimates are approximately 42,000 individuals in Mongolia and around 5,000 individuals in Northern China.
The Przewalski’s horse or Takhi’s habitats are the steppes and desert steppes of Asia. Takhis can be domesticated, but it is not possible to ride them. They were reintroduced in Mongolia and 1940s and since then, their population has been growing to 200.
