Biological assessment of Three Beauties of the Gobi National Conservation Park, Mongolia

Abstract

Three Beauties of the Gobi National Conservation Park was established in south central Mongolia in 1994. We performed a biological assessment of the parks wildlife and other biological/ecological resources from 1995-to assist in conservation management initiatives. Ground and aerial surveys collected data on 130 vertebrate species, several of which are listed as threatened or endangered globally or in Mongolia. We analyzed group structures and estimated population sizes for goitred gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa), ibex (Capra sibirica), and argali (Ovis ammon). We report on 20 species previously not reported in the park, including 17 birds, 2 mammals, and 1 reptile. The park is rich in diversity and abundance of raptors, and we observed 29 species of raptors. Several vertebrates appear to be faring better in the park than in other regions of Mongolia or the world. Under a new protected areas law (1994), the Mongolian Protected Areas Bureau is required to establish management zones within the park. Data from this study should be used to facilitate this process.