We envision populations of Khulans / Mongolian Wild Asses, Gobi key species and local people thriving and coexisting in harmony in shared and preserved landscapes of Mongolia.
Healthy ecosystems can support a high biodiversity (diversity of life) where species can interact in a sustainable way, and as a result are more resilient to changes and threats, benefiting people and wildlife.
Association GOVIIN KHULAN's mission is to conserve the Khulan (Mongolian Wild Ass) as an umbrella species and a keystone species of the Gobi Desert ecosystem, thus also enhancing protection of other Gobi key species and the Gobi Desert ecosystem, and to improve Human-wildlife coexistence and local communities' livelihood, by working closely together with local communities and protected areas.
We work alongside local communities for the conservation of the Khulan (subspecies of the Asiatic wild ass (Khulan) and other Gobi key and emblematic species of Mongolia's Gobi Desert, by focusing on both their survival and the health of the ecosystems they depend on.
In addition to conducting research through our own team and learning from the work of other research groups, we also actively promote and support community-based research to better understand these species and the ecosystem services they provide.
We recognize the Khulan’s ecological and cultural importance as a symbol of Mongolia’s biodiversity and as a contributor to ecosystem resilience, and we work to raise awareness of its value.
We support local efforts to protect Mongolia's rangelands and water sources that sustain people, livestock, and wildlife across the Gobi.
We contribute to the reduction and mitigation of some of the direct threats: including illegal hunting, resource competition, and habitat pressure - through education, local monitoring, and collaboration with local communities.
Our approach is grounded in respect for traditional knowledge and community leadership, ensuring that conservation benefits both people and wildlife.
Scientific research - We conduct research, and partner with other scientific teams on several aspects of biodiversity, ecology and wildlife behavioral ecology.
Capacity building
Community-based and led conservation activities
Local culture and traditions in support to biodiversity conservation
Environmental education and awareness - We conduct conservation education and awareness activities in the Gobi Desert
(including secondary schools) to inform, engage and empower the local community and the youth community in wildlife and natural resources protection. We produce exclusive educational
resources such as educational brochures, monitoring brochures, cartoons and children's books in collaboration with local artists and designers.
Participatory research, citizen science, responsible and conservation tourism - We organize, in partnership with locally based and
international travel agencies, wildlife observation, ecotourism and citizen science expeditions in our study area and other areas of Mongolia, during which travelers can: observe a high variety
of wildlife, be involved in some of our research and conservation activities and meet with our local scientific assistants and members of our study area's local community.
Ethical Conservation supports ethical, equitable, and inclusive nature conservation efforts that are supported and led by local communities.
Since the launching of our conservation program, local communities of our project areas have been always at the center of our conservation efforts.
Since the beginning, we ate committed to conduct conservation activities that are ethical, equitable, fair and sustainable, ensuring a future where human rights, animal welfare and ecological health are connected and balanced.