Amid one of the coldest months of the Mongolian winter, over 60 individuals and volunteers from the WWF-Mongolia, The Nature Conservancy, the Institute of Biology, the OBNP administration, and local community groups conducted a largescale survey of ungulate species. While working in the pristine wilderness of the Ereen Mountain Range, the team observed and counted red deer, Siberian roe deer, moose, musk deer, Mongolian gazelle, and wild boar.

Onon-Balj National Park (OBNP), a unique ecological zone bridging the East Siberian Taiga  and the Daurian Forest Steppe, has recently been the focus of a significant wildlife survey. Amid one of the coldest months of the Mongolian winter, over 60 individuals and volunteers from the WWF-Mongolia, The Nature Conservancy, the Institute of Biology, the OBNP administration, and local community groups conducted a largescale survey of ungulate species. While working in the pristine wilderness of the Ereen Mountain Range, the team observed and counted red deer, Siberian roe deer, moose, musk deer, Mongolian gazelle, and wild boar. They also tracked signs of predators, including gray wolves, red foxes, lynxes, forest sables, wolverines, and hares. Along the way, they worked to refine research methods for long-term ungulate monitoring, improving the accuracy and effectiveness of future conservation efforts.
Enkhbileg. D, a researcher at the Institute of Biology, Academy of Sciences of Mongolia, highlighted the significance of the survey: “Onon-Balj National Park and its surrounding areas are vital habitats for biodiversity. This region is home to the last steppe antelope of Eurasia, the white-tailed gazelle, and serves as a crucial stopover for migratory birds, including unique and magnificent crane species. I love visiting this place and experiencing the wilderness firsthand. In recent years, no other large-scale research project in Mongolia has united so many organizations and individuals with a shared goal of nature conservation and biodiversity protection within a specific area.”
This survey, the first large-scale ungulate census in OBNP since 2009, is a crucial step in understanding and protecting the park’s wildlife. Beyond gathering vital data to guide future conservation efforts, the mission fostered knowledge exchange—scientists benefited from local expertise, while rangers and residents gained new scientific insights. The survey team was divided into groups and collectively covered 2,000 square kilometers for the sign survey, examining the landscape for tracks, droppings, and other signs of animal presence, either by walking or horseback. In addition, they conducted line transect surveys over 300 kilometers, systematically traversing vast distances to directly observe and count animals.
 
 
 

© WWF-Mongolia

They also tracked signs of predators, including gray wolves, red foxes, lynxes, forest sables, wolverines, and hares.

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