ABOUT PALLAS CAT
Where manuls live

Ikh Nartiin Chuluu Nature Reserve (Ikh Nart) was established in 1996 to protect 43,740 ha (108,080 ac) of rocky outcrops in northwestern Dornogobi Aimag. The region is a high upland (~1,200 m or ~4,000 ft) covered by semi-arid steppe vegetation. Permanent cold-water springs are available in some of the several, shallow valleys draining the reserve. Climate is strongly continental and arid, characterized by cold winters (to -40 °C/°F), dry, windy springs (to 25 mps or ~55 mph), and relatively wet, hot summers (to 35 °C or 95 °F). Humidity is extremely low. Precipitation is low and seasonal, with most precipitation falling in the summer. Weather varies considerably, even within seasons.

The flora and fauna are representative of the semi-arid regions of Central Asia, with a mix of desert and steppe species. Vegetation is sparse. Xerophytic and hyperxerophytic semi-shrubs, shrubs, scrub vegetation, and turfy grasses dominate, including Haloxylon ammodendron, Sympegma ergelli, Anavasis brevifolia, Ephedra prjewaliskii, Ilynia regeli, Stipa glareosa, S. orientalis, and Reumuria songarica. Different plant communities can be found around oases and streams, on rocky outcrops, and other localized areas.

Large mammals in the region include argali (Ovis ammon), ibex (Capra sibirica), goitered gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa), Mongolian gazelles (Procapra gutturosa), and wolves (Canis lupus), several of which are locally or globally threatened. Common avifauna includes cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus), saker falcons (Falco cherrug), steppe eagles (Aquila rapax), upland hawks (Buteo hemilasius), Black Kites (Milvus migrans), little owls (Athene noctua), pied wheatears (Oenanthe pleschanka), white wagtails (Motacilla alba), horned larks (Eremophila alpestris), Guldenstadt's redstarts (Pheonicurus erythrogaster), red-billed choughes (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), and Daurian partridges (Perdix dauurica).

Of the many small mammals and reptiles, volunteers are likely to see Tolai hares (Lepus tolai), Pallas' cats (Felis manul), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), corsac foxes (Vulpes corsac), Mongolian gerbils (Meriones ungulatus), several species of voles, and jerboas, toad-headed agamas (Phrynocephalus versicolor), Mongolian Racerunners (Eremias argus), Central Asian vipers (Aqkistrodon halys), and Pallas' colubers (Elaphe dione).

A man has got here is surprised at wildlife plenty. Ikh Nart seems to be unfit for life on the face of it. Scanty vegetation and springs, severe frosts in winters and incinerating sun in summer are all it seems obstacles for life. Though plant and animals have adapted to these conditions. Fortunately people do not especially disturb them. Some families living the reserve have their livestock. Usually their cows, sheep and camels are pastured near argali and ibexes. The poachers are rare here and wild animals can allow to come near.

Since 1996 Mongolia's Argali Wildlife Research Center, Denver Zoological Foundation (USA), and Mongolian Academy of Science began joint research projects in an attempt to better understand the species' taxonomy, ecology, and population dynamics. Researchers hope the data they collect help develop conservation management recommendations to the appropriate Mongolian government agencies, to other biologists, and to non-governmental organizations working to conserve and recover the species in Mongolia and elsewhere. The main project is "Ecology & Conservation of Argali Sheep (Ovis ammon) in Mongolia" leading by Dr. R. Reading. The results of the work will hopefully enable people to better conserve argali.

Mongolia Carnivore Project has been conducted to study competitive attitudes between carnivores inhabiting Ikh Nart (foxes, badgers, and manuls). One of methods to study carnivore behaviour and habitat preferences is radio telemetry. As a side project, scientists are collecting data on the nesting success of cinereous vultures, a globally threatened species, which is especially numerous in the reserve.

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