An Endangered Species
Only 20-50 Gobi bears may survive, but even this estimate is uncertain. They are known to persist only in the Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area of southwestern Mongolia. Because of their present low population size, restricted range, and limited available habitat, further declines may be imminent. The Gobi bear is listed in the Mongolian Red Book of Endangered Species, a categorization that was validated by the bear’s designation as Critically Endangered in the November 2005 Mongolian Biodiversity Databank Assessment Workshop.
Craighead Beringia South has helped develop science-based strategies that are effective for recovery of Mongolia’s Gobi bear population from its present Critically Endangered status.
Objectives
Since 2006 the Gobi Bear Project was able to conduct initial research and conservation actions that focused on objectives to:
- Determine population size and assess potential limiting factors.
- Determine habitat use and movement patterns between and within the three oasis complexes.
- Determine genetic status.
- Train and enhance capacity of Mongolian bear specialists in techniques for bear capture, handling, and data analysis.
- Provide training on data collection and monitoring for rangers of the Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area.
Personnel
Harry Reynolds, Reynolds Alaska Wildlife Associates & International Association for Bear Research and Management, PO Box 80843, Fairbanks, Alaska 99708, USA
Derek Craighead, Craighead Beringia South, PO Box 147, Kelly, Wyoming 83011, USA
Luvsamjamba Amgalan, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Jukov Ave., Ulaanbaatar 51, Mongolia
Tuya Tserenbataa, United Nations Development Program, Gov. Bld. 3, Ministry of Nature and Environment, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Mijiddorj Batmunkh, Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area, Bayantoorai, Mongolia
Jenny E. Ross, Jenny E. Ross Photography, PO Box 10037, Truckee, California 96162, USA
Michael Proctor, Birchdale Ecological, & International Association for Bear Research and Management, PO Box 920, Kaslo, BC, V0G 1M0, Canada
Partners
Craighead Beringia South is fortunate to have the complete support and participation of the Mongolian Academy of Science, The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Great Gobi Special Protected Area biologists and officials to conduct the work within park boundaries.