Mongolian wild ass (Equus hemionus hemionus)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 152510681

Protecting the Mongolian Khulan and its habitat through research, engagement local rangers and community, and conservation education in Mongolia

The Association GOVIIN KHULAN was created in 2007 in France by Anne-Camille SOURIS (wildlife biologist and Equine ethologist), in response of the lack of conservation actions conducted to protect the endangered Mongolian khulan and its fragile habitat in Mongolia. This organization’s aim is to enhance protection of the Mongolian khulan and its fragile habitat, in partnership with local rangers and community, and to improve relations between humans and wildlife. The ecosystem of the Gobi Desert is very specific and also vulnerable, but very few actions have been conducted until now to conserve it, especially in the south-eastern part of the Gobi Desert. It is home of many threatened species, such as: Mongolian wild ass, black-tailed gazelle, argali sheep, ibex, Mongolian gazelle, corsac fox, cinereous vulture, steppe eagle, grey wolf, and many other species. The Mongolian khulan (Equus hemionus hemionus) is an endangered Mongolian wild Equid, which is still not well known and for which few actions have been conducted in the past years to enhance its protection. The species is listed as “endangered” in the IUCN Red List and in Appendix I of the CITES. The population of the Mongolian khulan represents the largest population of the Asiatic wild ass worldwide. However, its population has known an important decrease by about 50% since the end of the 1990’s. Within this project, the Mongolian khulan will be considered as a flagship species of the semi-desert ecosystem of the eastern part of the Gobi Desert (Mongolia). This organization's missions are to enhance protection of the Mongolian khulan and its habitat, through: a) research work, b) engagement of local protected areas rangers, community leaders and Buddhist monks in conservation, c) technical and research training support to local protected areas staff and rangers, and c) development of conservation education in this area.