The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change recently announced that October 25 will now be recognized annually as Khulan (Mongolian wild ass) Conservation Day. This year, the ministry, in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and researchers from the Biology Department of the National University of Mongolia, commemorated the day for the first time. They organized public events to raise awareness about khulan, a species crucial to Mongolia’s ecosystem.

Approximately 80 percent of the global khulan population resides in Mongolia, thriving across vast and open landscapes. However, these animals face mounting threats due to overlapping grazing areas with livestock and the encroachment of roads and other infrastructure developments. These factors are increasingly disrupting the migratory paths and natural habitats of khulan, making it difficult for them to roam freely and find adequate food sources.

Currently, an estimated 90,000 khulan inhabit around Mongolia. This restricted area highlights the species’ limited habitat range, as khulan herds now occupy only about 20 percent of their historical range. To draw attention to the khulan’s need for open and connected habitats, this year’s Khulan Conservation Day was celebrated under the theme, “For Boundless Migration”.

WCS also stated, “The khulan, an umbrella species of Mongolia’s deserts and steppe, plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological integrity and biodiversity of the region. It is vital to raise public awareness about the significance of this species, the challenges it faces in its habitat, and the current conditions impacting its survival. This day serves as an important platform for promoting this knowledge.”