WILD CAMEL CONSERVATION IN MONGOLIA

Wild camel is one of the most endangered large mammals on Earth. With the population of about 1000, the brink of extinction is within reach. The aim of this fundraising effort is to establish the foundational infrastructure for the new Wild Camel Breeding Center in Toli Bulag, Southern Gobi, Mongolia. This encompasses the construction of water resources for wild camels, provision of clean drinking water for staff, staff training initiatives, and the implementation of a research program at the breeding center.

The wild camel (Camelus ferus) is currently ranked as the 8th most endangered large mammal globally, classified as critically endangered. With an estimated population of less than 1000 with around 500 in the Gobi Desert of northwest China and approximately 450 in the Mongolian desert, its numbers are alarmingly low.

Until recently, the distinction between the wild camel and the domestic Bactrian camel was not recognized. However, in 2008, led by Dr. Pamela Burger, scientists at the Institute of Population Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, conclusively demonstrated that the wild camel is indeed a distinct species. Genetically separate from the domestic Bactrian camel, the wild camel shares a common ancestor with it nearly 0.7 million years ago, underscoring its uniqueness. As the sole remaining species of wild camel on Earth, and as the keystone species in Gobi Desert, its conservation is of utmost importance.

Numerous factors threaten the survival of wild camels, including habitat loss and degradation, desertification stemming from climate change, mining activities, and hybridization with the domestic Bactrian camel.

Wild Camel Protection Foundation (WCPF) stands as the sole charitable entity dedicated to preserving the wild camel and its untouched desert habitat, working tirelessly to avert its extinction and the degradation of its environment. In Mongolia, WCPF manages and funds a breeding center situated in Zakhyn Us which is in the Buffer Zone of the Grear Gobi Area of Special Protection ‘A’ in the Southern Gobi Desert. A second wild camel breeding center is in the process of being built in Toli Bulag, which is also situated within the Buffer Zone of the Protected Area. The Protected Area is where the remnant wild camel population exists in the wild

Global Heritage Society (GHS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in New Jersey, USA, is committed to safeguarding cultural heritage and protecting endangered wildlife.

Global Heritage Society has been partnering with Wild Camel Protection Foundation in UK and in Mongolia to execute this fundraising project.

In 2003, the Wild Camel Protection Foundation (WCPF) launched a groundbreaking captive wild camel breeding program in Mongolia, the world’s sole initiative of its kind. Supported by the Mongolian Ministry of Nature and Environment and Tourism (MNET), this endeavor secured land within the buffer zone of the Great Gobi Area of Special Protection ‘A’ – the only remaining natural habitat of the wild camel in Mongolia. Initial infrastructure, including several small buildings and a ten-kilometer fence, was built in 2003. With the establishment of the Wild Camel Breeding Centre at Zakhyn Us, an unprecedented opportunity emerged to bolster wild camel populations and to study this extraordinary species. Remarkably, the successful releases of wild camels from the breeding center into GGSPA ‘A’ underscore the program’s efficacy and significance.

Recently work started on a new second breeding center in Toli Bulag an area also located in the Buffer Zone of the Protected Area ‘A’. This second center will have a larger capacity for breeding wild camels in captivity and for genetic and biosecurity reasons means that in time there will be two distinct captive wild camel populations.  Moreover, both sites are in the Buffer Zone of the natural habitat of the wild camel which will make it easier to set up water sources for them.

Mongolia ranks among the countries most susceptible to climate change, with approximately 76.9% of its land affected by desertification. This phenomenon stems from a combination of climate change and human activities such as overgrazing and mining. The escalating desertification has led to a depletion of food and water sources for wild camels, posing a significant threat to their survival.

Therefore, the establishment of a breeding center is an urgent necessity to conserve the remaining population of wild camels. The new breeding center in Toli Bulag requires a substantial amount of funding to build the foundational infrastructure. Our top priority is ensuring the provision of water resources for wild camels. To achieve this, we must connect the breeding center enclosure to a natural spring or water point by digging a channel for water to flow to the center, and subsequently establish a drinking pool. This will ensure year-round access to water for wild camels at the new breeding center.

Ensuring access to clean drinking water for the staff at Toli Bulag is paramount. Currently, there exists an old, disused well on the premises. To make this well operational again, it needs to be excavated and its sides reinforced. By restoring and reinforcing this well, we can provide a reliable source of clean drinking water for the staff working at Toli Bulag, enhancing their well-being and productivity.

Staff training is of utmost importance, particularly with the establishment of two captive wild camel breeding centers. Providing employment opportunities for locals is crucial, as it not only benefits the community but also builds capacity and expertise within the country. Proper training is essential to ensure that staff members are equipped to adhere to regulations governing the management of an in-country captive breeding program. By investing in comprehensive training programs, we can empower staff to effectively carry out their responsibilities and contribute to the success of the breeding centers while upholding regulatory standards.

Furthermore, we will initiate research projects at the new breeding center to study the behavior and ecology of wild camels which will offer valuable insights into their feeding habits, social dynamics, and movement behaviors. This knowledge forms the basis for developing conservation strategies aimed at mitigating human-wildlife conflicts and fostering coexistence. Scholarships will be awarded to students participating in these research projects, encouraging their involvement in conservation efforts.

To ensure transparency, we will provide you with the year-end financial report by the close of the fiscal year, as well as the quarterly progress reports.

Global Heritage Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States, making donations tax-deductible. Upon receiving your donation, you will receive an acknowledgment that includes all necessary details regarding the tax-deductible portion of your contribution.

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