Khulan Reclaim Eastern Mongolia After Six Decades of Barrier

The Asiatic wild ass, scientifically known as Equus hemionus and locally called the khulan, has returned to eastern Mongolia after a silence of more than 65 years. This robust mammal, which belongs to the horse family, thrives in the arid steppes and deserts of Central Asia. Its reappearance in this specific sector marks a significant milestone in global conservation biology. For several decades, human infrastructure prevented these animals from moving naturally through their ancestral territories. However, strategic conservation interventions have successfully restored their ability to traverse these historical paths.

For many years, a continuous fence constructed along the Trans-Mongolian Railway served as a formidable barrier to wildlife movement. Initially, this infrastructure was engineered to prevent livestock and wild animals from colliding with high-speed trains. However, this design had severe unintended consequences, significantly fragmenting wildlife habitats. The fence effectively severed the migratory corridors of the khulan, dividing their population into isolated and non-viable subpopulations. This fragmentation restricted access to traditional grazing lands and seasonal water sources, creating ecological bottlenecks that threatened the long-term survival of the species.

The Trans-Mongolian Railway acted as a hard boundary, isolating herds that required extensive ranges to maintain genetic diversity and health. Similar infrastructure-induced fragmentation has affected numerous wide-ranging species across the region, including the saiga antelope and Przewalski’s horse. Scientists and conservation experts identified the fence as a critical threat to the viability of these wild populations. Without the ability to migrate, the animals faced increased competition for limited resources, higher mortality rates, and reduced genetic resilience.

In response to this ecological crisis, a collaborative initiative was launched to mitigate the impacts of railway infrastructure. Teams from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the Mongolian government, and private conservation partners implemented a strategy focused on restoring connectivity. This project involved the strategic removal of fence segments along critical sections of the railway line. By creating designated crossing zones, conservationists aimed to allow animals to pass safely while maintaining train safety.

A pivotal moment in this effort occurred in May 2023, when a specialized wildlife corridor was established near the China-Mongolia border. This zone was designed to be free of fencing barriers and was equipped with advanced monitoring systems to track animal movements and ensure the safety of both wildlife and rail traffic. The creation of this corridor was not merely a physical modification but a complex logistical achievement that required coordination between transportation authorities and ecological experts.