Camel Festival

ITG: Annual General Assemby

6. July 2026

On 5 May 2026, the ITG held its annual General Assembly of Members for the 2025 financial year, combined with the annual meeting of the ‘Friends of the Wild Horse’ support association. The ITG Executive Board reported on its activities and the use of funds over the past year. It also presented the planned activities and budget for the current year. Priorities for 2026 include organising the ITG workshop in Takhin Valley and attending the PHCA (Przewalski’s Horse Conservation Alliance) meeting in Khomyn Valley, as well as supporting the IUCN expert visit to conduct a technical review of the application for the inclusion of the Mongolian Gobi on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The meeting was rounded off with a presentation by Fay Goedbloed on the topic of ‘Pature management in the Greater Gobi’.

Collaboration for conservation

2. June 2026

In the first days of May the UN Resident Coordinator Jaap van Hierden and the German Ambassador Helmut Kulitz visited Great Gobi B with us. Together we discussed wildlife conservation and the upcoming desertification COP17, taking place in Mongolia.
The trip was deeply inspiring and we hope to see you again.

Read our new Takhi Post

12. May 2026

According to the Chinese zodiac, the rare, auspicious and energetic Year of the Fire Horse has been underway since 17 February 2026 – the first time since 1966. It was then that the wild, ancient horse became extinct. Sixty years later, this species – which narrowly escaped extinction – is once again roaming the wild steppes. What a sight!

A good reason to once again focus primarily on the takhi, the flagship species of the Great Gobi B, in the latest issue of the Takhi-Post. Even after 34 years of project work, there is still much to be done, and the tasks and challenges remain manifold. The biodiversity in the protected area never ceases to amaze us: did you know that not only Przewalski’s horses but also Przewalski’s lizards live there? And that it was only recently discovered? Find out more in the species profile.

We hope you enjoy reading it.

Thank you very much for your loyal support and for sharing our passion for the takhi and its unique habitat.

First Foal of the Year Spotted in the Great Gobi “B”

2. May 2026

Exciting news from the Great Gobi “B” Strictly Protected Area: the first Przewalski’s horse foal of 2026 has been observed in the wild.

During a unified monitoring effort on April 16, Ranger Ragchaa Oktyabri from Tonkhil soum in Govi-Altai aimag spotted the young foal near the Goviin Elsen Tolgoi area. The foal is estimated to be just 3–4 days old, marking an encouraging start to this year’s breeding season. The small group consisted of a stallion and a mare with her newborn. Upon noticing the ranger, the horses quickly moved off toward Khonin Us, an expected reaction. Mares with newborn foals are naturally highly alert and sensitive, a vital instinct that helps ensure the survival of their young in the wild.

This early sighting is a positive sign for the continued conservation of Przewalski’s horses and highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring efforts in protecting this unique and endangered species.

18. February 2026

Our Project Lead, Buyantogtokh Dorjbat, attended the Camel Festival in Gobi-Altai Province, bringing together camel herders from all 18 soums. The festival aimed to support the development of camel farming, encourage knowledge and experience sharing among herders, and celebrate Mongolia’s rich heritage and culture.

During the event, Buyantogtokh also promoted our camel wool products, sourced from the Khuvchiin Tsagaan Sort Herders’ Cooperative in the south-western Mongolian Gobi Desert. From the heart of the Gobi to your hands, every thread carries a story.

Presenting a new Storymap

12. February 2026

We’re excited to share a new Storymap showcasing the highlights from last year’s camera trapping efforts across the Gobi ecosystem. This interactive story brings together some of the most compelling moments captured by our camera traps, offering a window into the lives of the remarkable species that call the Gobi home. From elusive wildlife to everyday behaviors rarely seen, these images and maps reflect the dedication, teamwork, and persistence behind every field deployment.

We hope you enjoy exploring the Storymap and that it serves as a reminder of the impact of your donations and continued support. Your contributions play a vital role in protecting this extraordinary ecosystem and its inhabitants and in deepening our understanding of one of the world’s most unique landscapes.

Thank you for being part of this important work and for helping keep the Gobi wild.

Application to inscribe the “Mongolian Gobi” in the UNESCO World Heritage List

11. February 2026

Application to inscribe the “Mongolian Gobi” in the UNESCO World Heritage List
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Great Gobi Specially Protected Area in Bayantooroi in August 2025, the ITG President Reinhard Schnidrig and the Executive Director of ITG-Mongolia Batsukh Jamiyandorj could hand over a paper-copy of the application to inscribe the “Mongolian Gobi” in the UNESCO World Heritage List to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Mr. Batbaatar Bat.
From 24 to 25 November 2025 the 25th General Assembly of the States Parties to the World Heritage Convention was meeting at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, convening the 196 States Parties to the World Heritage Convention. During the session, the General Assembly elected new members to the World Heritage Committee, among them Mongolia, Czechia and Switzerland. This Committee has the final say on whether a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List and will therefor also be the governing body deciding on the application of Mongolia to inscribe the “Mongolian Gobi”. A promising situation, as the three countries are closely linked to the activities of the ITG, who in turn was one of the leading organizations in drafting the application document.

Planning for a First: ITG’s Workshop in Mongolia

22. January 2026

As part of our preparations for an important milestone, the ITG team came together for an online planning workshop ahead of our first-ever in-person annual meeting in Mongolia, taking place later this year.

The workshop focused on aligning objectives, sharing ideas, and exploring the opportunities and challenges that come with hosting an event in a new and unique location.

This initial planning session marks an important step in turning our vision into reality. With clear goals and strong engagement, we are building the foundation for a meeting that will not only support our strategic priorities, but also offer a meaningful and inspiring experience for everyone involved. We look forward to continuing the planning process and to sharing more updates as we prepare to bring ITG together in Mongolia.

Celebrating Dr. Lena Michler!

12. January 2026

We are incredibly proud to share that our Managing Director, Lena Michler, has successfully defended her PhD on herder adaptation strategies earning magna cum laude honors! After eight years of dedicated research, Lena’s work provides valuable insights into how pastoralist communities navigate change and sustain their livelihoods. Her commitment to bridging science, people, and conservation continues to inspire all of us. As she prepares to go on maternity leave, we would like to congratulate her not only on this incredible academic achievement, but also on the exciting new chapter ahead.

Congratulations, Dr. Michler, and thank you for your remarkable dedication to the International Takhi Group and the people of the Gobi! See her paper here

A new House for Alibi

10. December 2025

The Alibi Reintroduction Center lies in the heart of the Central Asian plains, in the Altyn Dala, the golden steppe of Kazakhstan, 750’000 km2 in size. The Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), together with international partners within the “Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative” (ADCI) is on the mission to bring back the two wild equid species Przewalski’s Horse (Equus przewalskii) and Asiatic Wild Ass (Equus hemionus) to this grassland ecosystem. With the financial support of the International Takhi Group and the Fondation OptisomAs, the ADCI was able to construct a new house in Alibi which meets all the requirements for the reintroduction project.