Destinations

International experts have assessed that there are approximately 500 Taimen species (Hucho Taimen) in the Onon and Balj rivers back in 2007. Since then, the monitoring was regularly undertaken by the members of Fishing Clubs of the river basin who were assessing the population of Taimen. With the aim to check against the results of Fishing club members and re-assess the Taimen population and distribution with science-based innovative methodology, the team of experts had worked in the field from 28th May to 7th June 2016. The research team was led by Dr.B.Mendsaikhan, the ichthyologist and researcher from the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and included other researchers as well as the members of Fishing Clubs of the Onon River Basin.

20 individuals of Taimen fish was caught with barbless hook and body measurements such as length and body line were taken in accordance with safety standards artificial fish bait. The Taimen were released back after a special soft tag was fitted beneath their dorsal fins in order to monitor the movement and identify distribution range. Scientists highlight that the soft tag is totally harmless to the fish.

“We need time to make thorough research. If the members of the Fishing clubs catch a tagged individual, they should immediately report the ID to the soum ranger. These data shall be the baseline to assess the Taimen population. Importantly, this research should be conducted in fall because one-time research would not yield thorough results” highlight Dr.B.Mendsaikhan. Therefore, WWF-Mongolia plans to do the same research in the forthcoming fall

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The Kherlen River is one of the biggest rivers in the Eastern Mongolia within the Pacific basin. The river takes its origin at the upper part of the Khentii mountain range and flows to the south first, and then gradually to the east and ultimately joins Dalai Lake in China.

The river watershed area is 116455 km.sq and length of 1090 km in the territory of Mongolia. The River Kherlen area is full of migratory birds in summer and it is very beautiful to watch them in the early morning and evening.

Steppe Nomads camp is located on the west shores of the Kherlen river. It’s only 150m from the gers in the east wing. Our beer garden is right on the river shore.

38 species of fish swim freely within the crystal clear waters of the Kherlen. These fish include the following species: Taimen (Hucho taimen), Lenok (Brachymystax lenok), Chadary whitefish (Coregonus chadary), Amur grayling (Thymallus arcticus grubei), Amur pike (Esox reicherti), Gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio), Amur dace(Leuciscus waleskii), White amur (Ctenopharyngodon idella), Amur catfish (Parasilurus asotus), Burbot (Lota lota), Amur wild carp (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus) and many more.

Among these fish, Hucho Taimen, so called the King of the River, is the most famous one, every fisherman dreams of encountering the mighty Taimen. The biggest Taimen reach some 2m in length!

The main lakes are Khar Us Nuur, Khar Nuur and Dörgön Nuur. The national park was established in 1997, and then designated as a Ramsar (wetland of international significance) site in 1999. The lakes have the largest reed beds in Central Asia. Surrounded by desert landscapes, it is surprising to find that rare wild boars can survive in the reeds. Saiga antelope, though rare, have increased in later years, migrating through the park. Nearby Jargalant Hairkhan Mountain have Snow Leopards, Argali Sheep and Siberian Ibex. The mammals are, however, difficult to observe. For this reason, the many species of birds, the landscape and encounters with local nomads are the main attractions here.

The avifauna include Black-throated Divers, Arctic Loon, Red-crested Pochard, Swan Goose, Relict Gull, White-headed Duck, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Dalmatian Pelican, Great Cormorant, Great Sand Plover and Great Egrets, observable by the lakesides and straits. On Jargalant Hairhan Mountain you have a reasonably good chance of seeing Wallcreeper, White-Throated Bush-Chat, Eurasian and Cinereous Vulture, Lammergeier, Chukar, Altai Snowcock, Solden Eagle and Steppe Eagle.

Gobi desert is rich in native tree saxaul, so it called “Bayanzag”. “Ulaan khavtsal” is a Red shore of clay formations formed in various forms of wind and rain for thousands of years. It has a unique 5km wide texture, approximately 8km long. American palentologgist first found dinosaur bones and eggs in the area while he was researching a trace of ancient people with his crew in 1922. While they were going from Beijing to Uliastai in Mongolia expediting for 1600 km, they lost on the way. Many discoveries made by an American paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews and his team. First they excavated in 1922, it is renowned worldwide for the number of dinosaur bones and eggs found in the area while he was researching trace of the ancient people. That is why; they contributed Bayanzag “Flaming cliff” become famous in the world.

The team fell in love with new discoveries and came back to do the excavation in Bayanzag. 3rd time the team discovered dinosaur nests with an egg, also three new kinds of dinosaur eggs by stealing and eating Oviraptor.

Americans has analyzed the eggs found were fossils of dinosaur bones and have discovered the first trace that causes "of dinosaurs called giant squid live eggs in Mongolian desert that discovered in Bayanzag. This dead trace press is considered extremely rare finds.

There is no return without a walk over muddy landscapes of Bayanzag remote area was hiding dinosaur bones and an egg in a remote area.

Choiriin Bogd Mountain is a natural park area preserved histories of many centuries. The name of the mountain was included in the name of administrative unit as a OtsolSansar Mountain county of Khan Khentii province since 1923. The area was included in local administrative protection in 1997 and national protection for classification of natural reserve in 2011. Nowadays, there are over 200 wild sheep living in the mountain. The area is abundant with rare medical herbs, wild sheep, wild goat, wolf, red fox, hare, eagle, saber falcon. The mountain contains some historical heritages.

Choiriin bogd rocky mountain is located in East Gobi province of Mongolia. This natural reserve has unique rock formation throughout the mountain, and also home to very rare animals. The reserve has three historical sites, which are temple of Zuun Janjin Choir, Tsagaan dari eh burhan which is rock sculptured painting. Reported Area 52.65 km².