WWF-Mongolia was entrusted with the daily conservation management of Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve (NR) in eastern Mongolia for a 10-year period (2013–2022), under an agreement with the former Ministry of Environment and Green Development of Mongolia and the governments of Khentii and Sukhbaatar provinces. During this time, WWF-Mongolia implemented a wide range of conservation activities, supported by donors and strengthened through the active involvement of local communities living in and around the reserve. Today, the results of these long-term efforts are becoming clearly visible.

In 2015, only a single red deer (Cervus canadensis) was recorded in Khar Yamaat NR. By January 2026, WWF-Mongolia’s monitoring team counted 35 individuals. While retrieving camera traps, field teams observed herd after herd moving quietly across the landscape - what was once a rare sight is now re-emerging as a natural part of the ecosystem.

Encouraging signs are also evident for argali sheep (Ovis ammon). In 2023, camera traps captured just one individual. Shortly afterward, a rare and hopeful image of a mother argali with her lamb was recorded. This January, field teams encountered a group of eight argali crossing the steppe together. These are more than simple wildlife observations—they are clear signals of ecological recovery. They reflect the effectiveness of sustained conservation management and the dedicated collaboration between park authorities, WWF-Mongolia, and local stakeholders, especially community members who play a vital role in protecting the reserve.