Khulan Wildlife & Conservation Ecotours Mongolia

17/06/2024

Today is World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought!

At Association GOVIIN KHULAN we work to protect the , Gobi wildlife and their habitat together with the local communities to find solutions to environmental problems and protect lands and water resources to help wildlife and people to thrive in a harmonious and sustainable coexistence. Check our new post 👇

22/05/2024

🌱🌏 Today is the International Day of Biodiversity. A day for us to celebrate the Mongolian Khulan and all other species that inhabit the south and southeast regions of Mongolia's Gobi Desert where we operate to enhance the protection of this unique and fragile ecosystem and its wildlife towards a harmonious and sustainable coexistence between people and wildlife.

www.goviinkhulan.org

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🌱🌏 Aujourd'hui est la journée internationale de la biodiversité. Une journée pour célèbrer l'hémione de Mongolie et toutes les espèces présentes dans les régions du sud et sud-est du désert de Gobi en Mongolie, où notre association agit pour protéger cet écosystème unique et fragile et sa faune sauvage vers une coexistence harmonieuse et durable entre l'Homme et la faune sauvage.

www.goviinkhulan.org

12/09/2023

//Ethical approach to wildlife observation//

Why is it important to observe wildlife from distance?

When watching wildlife, small actions can have a big impact on animals

14/06/2023

Somewhere in the Gobi Desert a buddhist monastery located in a remote area, where wildlife can enjoy a peaceful environment in the surroundings.

We discovered by chance this monastery during the first field trip of the project in July 2008. This monastery, as many others in Mongolia, has been completely destroyed during the sovietic purges. The main building has been rebuilt 30 years ago and still surrounded by many ruins.

Our project involved a few members of this monastery's community as 'citizen scientists', and also carried out some environmental education and awareness activities there, as nature and human coexistence is part of Buddhism and because this monastery's monks play an important role in the local community.

After a pause due to the Covid pandemic, we are planning to develop more our conservation actions there.

Follow the links in our Bio to know more about our work and support it.

ℹ www.goviinkhulan.org

14/06/2023

Horses can also be observed in the Gobi Desert and in our study area but not in large numbers.

Here a photo of a beautiful stallion observed during one of our field trips.

When travelling with us in Mongolia, we will talk about the differences and similarities between the different species of Equids in Mongolia: wild (Przewalski's horse and Khulan) and domestic (horses and donkeys, even though we might not see any domestic donkeys in the areas we will travel to).

01/06/2023

Ethical approach to wildlife observation and photography

When travelling and when we encounter very rare and beautiful , most of the travellers want to bring back home a good memory of their observation and take photos of wildlife, sometimes as close as possible.

Unfortunately, if some rules are not respected one single attempt of taking a photo of one wild animal (remember that many of these wild species are nowadays endangered or threatened) can have a great (and negative) impact on this animal.

An ethical and wildlife-friendly approach is then necessary when taking photos or simply observing any wild animals in their natural habitat, including in which is home to many threatened and endangered species.

https://www.indyguide.com/article/ethical-approach-to-wildlife-observation-and-photography via Association GOVIIN KHULAN

22/05/2023

19/05/2023

The Argali wild sheep (Ovis ammon). Another elusive species and master of camouflage in the Gobi Desert! This species also inhabits our study area and is included in our conservation program.

This individual was observed drinking from a stream in our study area (this photo was taken right before it was observed drinking).

📷 Anne-Camille Souris, 2019

Web: www.goviinkhulan.org

14/05/2023

The Mongolian wild ass - or Khulan in Mongolian - represents the largest population of the Asiatic wild ass in the world making Mongolia a very important place for this species conservation. This subspecies's population is now restricted to the Gobi Desert while in the past it was also observed in the east with small populations in the northwest.

Mongolian khulans can be observed in groups of different sizes as well as in big (and very big) herds depending on resources availability.

📸 Anne-Camille SOURIS 2020

Discover our conservation organization's work here: https://www.goviinkhulan.org

03/04/2023

🌿🎁 If you are looking for a gift or for an accessory for yourself that will contribute to support wildlife conservation, here is a Mouse Pad illustrated by a special artwork made a Mongolian artist representing a female Mongolian khulan and her young in the Gobi Desert. Profits from the sales will support Association GOVIIN KHULAN's conservation work in Mongolia.

Order your Mouse Pad from here: https://www.redbubble.com/fr/i/tapis-de-souris/Protection-de-l-h%C3%A9mione-de-Mongolie-par-Anu-Naran-pour-Goviin-Khulan-par-GoviinKhulan/104084023.G1FH6

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🌿🎁 Si vous recherchez un cadeau ou un accessoire pour vous même qui contribue à soutenir la conservation de la faune sauvage, découvrez ici le tapis de souris illustré par une peinture réalisée par une artiste mongole représentant une femelle de l'hémione sauvage de Mongolie et son poulain dans le désert de Gobi. Les bénéfices récoltés par les ventes soutiendront les actions de conservation de l'Association GOVIIN KHULAN.

Achetez en ligne votre tapis de souris ici:
https://www.redbubble.com/fr/i/tapis-de-souris/Protection-de-l-h%C3%A9mione-de-Mongolie-par-Anu-Naran-pour-Goviin-Khulan-par-GoviinKhulan/104084023.G1FH6

Mouse Pad illustrated by our special Khulan artwork created by the Mongolian artist Anu.NARAN.

Profits from the sales will support our conservation work in Mongolia.

Order it here: https://www.redbubble.com/fr/i/tapis-de-souris/Protection-de-l-h%C3%A9mione-de-Mongolie-par-Anu-Naran-pour-Goviin-Khulan-par-GoviinKhulan/104084023.G1FH6

27/03/2023

🐴👨‍🔬🌿 The Mongolian khulan as an engineer species of the Gobi Desert ecosystem

During the dry season, Mongolian khulans dig water holes at dry river beds and water points to access water located underground allowing them to drink from these water holes.

Our NGO did set up camera traps at different dry river beds and we got some unique images and the confirmation about this behavior from the Mongolian khulan, but also that other species - wild and domestic - also use these water holes to drink.

The Mongolian khulan plays a very important function in the Gobi Desert ecosystem allowing other species to access water when most of permanent water sources are dry. This is therefore very important to protect this species and its habitat.

📸Copyright Association GOVIIN KHULAN

If you want to join one of our conservation tour, visit our website here: https://www.goviinkhulan.org

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🐴👨‍🔬🌿 L'hémione de Mongolie, une espèce ingénieur du désert de Gobi.

Pendant la saison sèche, les hémiones de Mongolie creusent des trous au niveau de lits de rivière ou de points d'eau asséchés afin d'accèder à l'eau en profondeur, leur permettant ainsi de boire de ces points d'eau.

Notre association a mis en place des pièges photographiques à différents lits de rivières et nous avons obtenu des images exclusives confirmant ce comportement mais aussi montrant que d'autres espèces - sauvages et domestiques - utilisent aussi ces trous d'eau pour s'abreuver.

L'hémione de Mongolie joue ainsi un rôle important dans l'écosystème du désert de Gobi, permettant à d'autres espèces de s'abreuver quand les points d'eau permanents sont secs. Il est ainsi primordial de protéger cette espèce et son habitat.

📸Copyright Association GOVIIN KHULAN
Si vous souhaitez joindre un de circuits pour la conservation, visitez notre site ici: https://www.goviinkhulan.org

06/02/2023

Conservation and citizen science in Mongolia / Conservation et sciences participatives en Mongolie

(Français ci-desssous)

ℹ️ The Mongolian khulan (Equus hemionus hemionus) - or Mongolian wild ass - is a sub-species of the Asiatic Wild Ass which a threatened wild Equid, still less known than the African wild ass, the different species of Zebras or the Przewalski's horse.

🌱The Mongolian khulan inhabits the Gobi Desert of Mongolia - with small populations in Inner Mongolia as well.

This year in June, we will lead a very special and unique tour in Mongolia which purpose is mostly focused on species and habitat conservation by combining wildlife observation, to citizen science and meeting with people locally involved in conservation. For each tour organized a donation will contribute to our NGO's Conservation Fund (to support our conservation work) and to a Community Fund (to support the local community of our study area).

To know more about this tour visit our website here: https://www.goviinkhulan.org/.../expedition-adventure/
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ℹ️ L'hémione de Mongolie (Equus hemionus hemionus) - ou âne sauvage de Mongolie, est une des sous-espèces de l'âne sauvage d'Asie qui est un équidé sauvage menacé, bien moins connu que l'âne sauvage d'Afrique, les différentes espèces de zèbre, ou le cheval de Przewalski.

🌱L'hémione de Mongolie, ou khulan en Mongol, vit principalement dans le désert de Gobi avec de petites populations en Mongolie intérieure. Mais son habitat s'étendait davantage dans le passé.

Au mois de juin cette année nous guiderons une expédition très spéciale et unique dont l'objectif est de contribuer à la conservation des espèces et de leur habitat en combinant l'observation de la faune sauvage, les sciences participatives et la rencontre avec des acteurs locaux de la conservation des espèces. Pour chaque expédition organisée, un don contribuera au fond pour la conservation et au fond pour la communauté locale de mon association.

Pour en savoir plus sur cette expédition suivez ce lien: https://www.goviinkhulan.org/.../faune.../circuits-aventure/

09/01/2023

📣Some news for 2023 / Des nouvelles pour 2023

~ EN ~

Mongolia is now visa free (maximum of 30 days in the country until end of 2025) to citizens of the following countries:

-Australia,
-Austria,
-Belgium,
-Bulgaria,
-Croatia,
-Cyprus,
-Czech,
-Denmark,
-Estonia,
-Finland,
-France,
-Greece
-Hungary,
-Iceland,
-Ireland,
-Italy,
-Latvia,
-Liechtenstein,
-Lithuania,
-Luxembourg,
-Malta,
-Monaco,
-Netherlands,
-New Zealand,
-Norway,
-Poland,
-Portugal,
-Romania,
-Slovakia,
-Slovenia,
-Spain,
-Sweden,
-Switzerland,
-UK.

To discover the expeditions we offer in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia and get our latest updates visit our website here and suscribe to our newsletter:
https://www.goviinkhulan.org/english/travel-with-us/

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~ FR ~

La Mongolie dispense de visa les citoyens des pays suivants (pour des séjours de moins de 30 jours et ce jusqu'à la fin de 2025):

-Australie,
-Autriche,
-Belgique,
-Bulgarie,
-Chypre,
-Croatie,
-Danemark,
-Espagne,
-Estonie,
-Finlande,
-France,
-Grèce,
-Hongrie,
-Irlande,
-Islande,
-Italie,
-Lettonie,
-Liechtenstein,
-Lituanie,
-Luxembourg,
-Malte,
-Monaco,
-Norvège,
-Nouvelle-Zélande,
-Pays-Bas,
-Pologne,
-Portugal,
-République tchèque,
-Roumanie,
-Royaume-Uni,
-Slovaquie,
-Slovénie,
-Suède
-Suisse.

Pour en savoir plus sur les expéditions que nous organisons en Mongolie et dans le désert de Gobi et être tenu au courant des nouveautés en terme d'expéditions, visitez notre site internet ici et abonnez-vous à notre newsletter:

https://www.goviinkhulan.org/voyager/faune-sauvage-science-mongolie/

27/10/2022

🍃🦅One bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) observed in our project's area last June 2022 near a dry river bed.

This species is listed in the IUCN Red List as "Near Threatened" and its population is declining.

The bearded vulture is a bird of prey which can be found in mountainous areas and where large predators surch as wolves and Golden eagles are present, and where there are also large herds of mammals such as mountain goats, wild sheep etc.

Its diet is made of a large portion of bones (as much as 85%).

19/10/2022

From United Nations News "Is it possible to be a sustainable tourist?" / 12 ways to make a positive impact on your travels

By joining our team in Mongolia you will certainly have a positive impact on your travel and a long-term impact on species and nature protection

After a period of plummeting tourism numbers during the pandemic, tourism is having a resurgence. This is good news for many workers and businesses, but it could be bad for the planet. Here is a selection of ways tourists can ensure that their holidays don’t harm the environment.

22/09/2022

🍃Wildlife conservation expeditions and responsible travel 🍃

Our wildlife conservation and citizen science expedition is promoted on the Responsible Travel website here: https://www.responsibletravel.com/holiday/16604/wildlife-research-expedition-in-the-gobi-desert-mongolia

As Responsible Travel our NGO's priorities are that our trips support the local community and preserve nature of Mongolia for responsible and sustainable tourism activities in support to biodiversity conservation.

Wildlife research expedition in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia. Wildlife research & conservation in Mongolia's Gobi Desert, from US $2270 - US $3425 (12 days) ex flights.

21/09/2022

Gobi wildlife (June 2022) / Faune sauvage de Mongolie (Juin 2022)

🇬🇧 During the field trip we conducted in June 2022, within the wild Mammals of the Gobi Desert, we could observe were: the Mongolian khulan/wild donkey, the Argali wild sheep and the black-tailed gazelle. Some parts of our study area are also home to other wild species (such as snow leopard, Ibex, Eurasian lynx, gray wolf, Pallas cat, corsac fox and many others).

By joining one of our expeditions you will be able to directly observe some of them or see some signs of the presence for the more elusive ones.

Our expeditions combine wildlife observations, citizen science which means that travellers joining our expeditions will take part to some of our research and conservation actions, visit of cultural sites and meetings with some members of the local community we work with as well as with some of our local partners.

Our expeditions have been carefully designed to support biodiversity conservation in our study area as well as to support the local community of our study area, from designing the right itinerary to the choice of our local and international agencies we partner with.

For more information about the expeditions we will organize in 2023: https://www.goviinkhulan.org/english/travel-with-us/expedition-adventure/

🇫🇷 Pendant la mission de terrain que notre équipe a conduite en juin 2022, parmi les différentes espèces de mammifères du désert de Gobi, nous avons pu observer: l'hémione de Mongolie (ou âne sauvage de Mongolie), le mouflon sauvage et la gazelle à queue noire. Certaines parties de notre région d'étude sont aussi l'habitat de d'autres espèces (panthère des neiges, Ibex, lynx, loup gris, chat de Pallas, renard corsac et bien d'autres).

En rejoignant l'une de nos expéditions vous pourrez observer directement certaines de ces espèces mais aussi voir les signes de présence de bien d'autres qui sont plus élusives.

Nos expéditions rassemblent l'observation de la faune sauvage, les sciences participatives ce qui signifie que les voyageurs participeront à certaines de nos actions de recherches et conservation, la visite de sites culturels, et la rencontre avec les membres de la communauté locale avec lesquels nous travaillons ainsi que certains de nos partenaires locaux.

Nos expéditions sont conçues avec soin afin de soutenir la conservation de la biodiversité et la communauté locale de notre région d'étude, en commençant par le choix d'un itinéraire approprié jusqu'au choix de nos agences-partenaires locales et internationales.

Pour plus d'information concernant les expéditions que nous organiserons en 2023: https://www.goviinkhulan.org/voyager/faune-sauvage-science-mongolie/circuits-aventure/