Studying wildlife in Mongolia
Earthwatch has a fascinating project in the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve on the edge of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. Researchers and volunteers capture, examine and tag or radio collar a number of exotic animals, including:
- Endangered Mongolian Argali, with their huge curving horns - the largest mountain sheep in the world
- Siberian ibex, mountain goats with scimitar-shaped horns
- Cinereous vultures, another endangered species - one vulture tagged by an Earthwatch team was later photographed in South Korea - 1200 miles away: view link
- Small mammals, including hedgehogs, unusual Pallas' cats and corsac foxes
This research is a collaboration between researchers from the the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and the Denver Zoological Foundation, and volunteers work with local Mongolia staff and stay in traditional "gers".
You can read more about the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve at view link
The carnivore study also has a website at view link
See the location on Google Maps: view link
On the expedition, researcher Dr. Richard Reading says: "You will spend two nights in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, to experience the ancient and fascinating culture of Mongolia, and almost two weeks in the spectacular semi-desert steppe wilderness, free of fences and paved roads."
There are only five spaces left on this year's teams - and there would be one less, if I hadn't already scheduled all of my vacation :-) - view link
Whether or not you can go to Mongolia, it's an incredible place to read about!
Kathy, the Earthwatch webmaster
- Endangered Mongolian Argali, with their huge curving horns - the largest mountain sheep in the world
- Siberian ibex, mountain goats with scimitar-shaped horns
- Cinereous vultures, another endangered species - one vulture tagged by an Earthwatch team was later photographed in South Korea - 1200 miles away: view link
- Small mammals, including hedgehogs, unusual Pallas' cats and corsac foxes
This research is a collaboration between researchers from the the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and the Denver Zoological Foundation, and volunteers work with local Mongolia staff and stay in traditional "gers".
You can read more about the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve at view link
The carnivore study also has a website at view link
See the location on Google Maps: view link
On the expedition, researcher Dr. Richard Reading says: "You will spend two nights in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, to experience the ancient and fascinating culture of Mongolia, and almost two weeks in the spectacular semi-desert steppe wilderness, free of fences and paved roads."
There are only five spaces left on this year's teams - and there would be one less, if I hadn't already scheduled all of my vacation :-) - view link
Whether or not you can go to Mongolia, it's an incredible place to read about!
Kathy, the Earthwatch webmaster
