The Gobi B is covered with snow

Magic pictures with loads of snow and blu (or grey) skies mean a great challenge for humans and wild animals in the region. In the cold weather takhi have to find their way through the snow-covered landscape to find some food.

On the other hand the rangers try their best to get into the Gobi desert to observe the situation for wildlife and especially the takhi. It is important to have good cars and hay, to cope with wintertime, in order to track the Takhi and feed them with hay, if needed. If you want to support this important task:

Cashmere for Future

The ecosystem of the Great Gobi B is not only the habitat of specific and partly endangered fauna and flora. Nomads have also been using mainly two north-south routes through the protected area for centuries. As a biosphere reserve, the Great Gobi B aims to harmonise ecological conservation interests with the traditions of the local population.

In October 2022 the the local cooperative “Khowchiin Tsagaan Sort” was established to enable a direct sale of combed wool to fashion companies and yarn manufacturers. This should result in fair payment for the herders and on the same time through strict quality control reduce the herd size, thus decreasing the pressure on wildlife.

After one year, in October 2023, 45 herders met at the Khowchiin Tsagaan Sort meeting, where the project consultants gave a detailed introduction about cashmere and presented the very good results of laboratory analysis of the cashmere of the local cooperative.

To have enough capital it was agreed, that every member should give 1 kg of cashmere to the common fund. During the last year 100 kg of cashmere was sold to „Edelziege“ and 356 kg to Taliin aduu LLC

Edelziege brought hats and gloves back to the Gobi B which had been produced from the local cashmere. The herders were very impressed by the products and the two hats and one pair of gloves were given to different members by lottery.

Read the latest edition of the Takhi Post!

The 2022/23 Dzud hit rural areas of Mongolia hard and also in the Gobi B many animals died, including Przewalski’s horses. Read the article of ITG president Reinhard Schnidrig and an interview with the president of the Takhi-Friends, Christian Stauffer, in the latest issue of Takhi-Post. They talk about solutions to face such major risks in the future.

Any support of the project is warmly welcomed and will help to meet these challenges in order to stay one step ahead in the chess game of species conservation.

In memory of Stephan Siegfried, a great nature enthusiast

Stephan Siegfried left us on October 9, 2023. The thoughts of the International Takhi Group are with his family, and we share the sorrow over the loss of an amiable and dedicated friend.

As the son of the co-founder of the ITG, it was Stephan’s great concern to support the reintroduction of Przewalski’s horses in Mongolia through the Jean-Pierre und Sonja Siegfried Foundation, of which he was the president. Six years ago, he seized the opportunity to visit the passion project of his parents, Jean-Pierre and Sonja Siegfried, in Mongolia. He was excited to see ‘his father’s Takhi’ but was equally interested in Mongolia’s plants and other wildlife, especially his beloved birds.

Because of his love for nature and diverse people, he was able to easily form friendships in Mongolia. He was enthralled by the stories of the rangers and nomads, yet equally captivated them in return when he spoke enthusiastically of his many other journeys and encounters with animals.

Stephan, your enthusiasm, your inspiring and humorous, yet demanding personality, will continue to accompany us in our thoughts and support us in our work in Mongolia. Thank you, Stephan, farewell!

Mongolia is worth a trip

Lonely Planet, a leader of travel-guidebooks promoted in “Best in Travel” Mongolia as a country for those looking for vast landscapes, adventure and culture.

At the same time, the International Travel Mart 2023 (ITM) took place at Ulaanbaatar/Mongolia. ITG Mongolia participated and presented the Gobi B as travel destination with a fantastic landscape and a unique fauna and flora in the South-West of Mongolia. It is a place, where – in Lonely Planets wording – there is a lot to discover.

Great Gobi 6 Initiative: “Let’s live side by side”

The meeting of the Great Gobi 6 Initiative was held in Khukhmort Sum (Gobi Altai province) in October and was organized by the stakeholders of the “Gobi’s wonder 6”. The main topic was the planning and the implementation of linear infrastructure like pipelines and streets in an environmentally friendly way. The discussion was based upon the standard MNS 6735:2018 of the Mongolian law, pointing out the requirements for mountain crossings for wildlife migration routes.

Wildlife survey

On beginning of September a survey at Khonin us oasis by P. Suvd, G. Dagvasuren and Penolofa showed around 90 Takhi and 600 Khulan. In fall Takhi harems often gather to bigger groups as can be seen on the picture. During this period, Takhi often change groups. In wintertime however groups roam the Gobi B alone again.

Elaboration of a World Heritage Nomination

The Desert Landscapes of the Mongolian Southern Gobi are outstanding. They host an extraordinary representation of critical populations of rare animal and plant species as well as an enormous range of intact desert landforms and features. The project team supporting the Mongolian government to apply for the “Desert Landscapes of the Mongolian Southern Gobi” took an inspection trip to Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area.

The Mongolian Government has now decided to support the nomination of the suggested landscapes. The proposal includes: Great Gobi A with Eej Khairkhan Natural Monument, the Great Gobi B with ALalg Khairchen and the Small Gobi A&B SPA, a region of more than 82’000 km2.

“Learning Wild” goes Mongolia

“The group experienced a great trip to the Gobi B, where Emily Kieson (Equine International) and Bonny Mealand (Touching Wild), as well as Reinhard Schnidrig, Dalaitseren Sukhbaatar and Dagvasuren of ITG and Gobi B SPA made the course a once in a lifetime experience. This is what Emily Kieson said:
“Taking a Learning Wild group to the Gobi B was truly an experience that exceed all my expectations. The staff and guides at the Gobi B SPA station were exceptional hosts and we instantly felt welcomed into a landscape and culture that was vastly different than what most of us had ever experienced. I was overwhelmed with how much the staff was willing to do to accommodate our desires to explore the area and learn about the wildlife. The station itself is the perfect place as a base camp for educational opportunities. Whether members of our group woke up before dawn to observe wildlife at one of the oases or if they decided to stay at camp and enjoy the scenery from the comfort of their yurts, there were endless opportunities to enjoy and appreciate the wonder of the Gobi B.”