The Environmental Department, Municipality of Ulaanbaatar has reported an increasing number of incidents where citizens, while enjoying recreational activities or gathering forest products in the capital city’s green zones, have been disturbing and frightening wildlife, intruding on their habitats, and in some cases, even separating young animals from their mothers. 

Ungulates or hoofed animals, such as red deer, moose, roe deer, and Siberian musk deer, which are commonly found in the forests of Mongolia, are known to hide their young in dense, thickly wooded areas, or in secluded parts of rocks and caves to protect them from predators and other dangers. These animals primarily communicate through scent and vocalizations, and when a predator or other threat approaches, the mother will often distract the danger by leading it away from her young.

However, many people are unaware of these natural instincts and behaviors. As a result, there have been frequent instances where well-meaning citizens, upon finding hidden young animals, have taken them from their habitats, brought them home, or delivered them to environmental organizations, inadvertently causing harm to the animals by separating them from their mothers.

In response to this, environmental conservationists have issued warnings to those visiting the capital city’s forest reserves to respect the space and safety of young wildlife and to avoid disturbing them. They also advised the public not to frighten or endanger these animals. 

Animals forced to flee their natural habitats due to human interference are at a higher risk of being caught by stray or domestic dogs, hit by vehicles, or injured by getting trapped in metal fences or wire enclosures. For example, on August 21, a roe deer was found injured and trapped in a household fence in the Khuurai Mukhar Valley of the 19th khoroo in Sukhbaatar District. The Environmental Department rescued the deer and transferred it to an animal care center, where it is being treated and cared for until it recovers.