The Gobi bear (Ursus arctos gobiensis) is a subspecies of the brown bear, Ursus arctos, found in the Gobi desert of Mongolia. At present they are listed as "very rare" in the Mongolian red book, and may represent a threatened subspecies, as the small population of Gobi bears makes them vulnerable to outside threats. Some estimates place the population as low as 20 individuals.
Gobi bears do not live in other countries except Mongolia
Gobi bear is an endangered animal in the world and lives in Mongolia few amount.
We interviewed with 84 year old the gamekeeper TS. Zeskhuu, who have been follow this animal over 20 years.
Exactly where are Gobi bears live, available to see them if come now?
Maybe around Segs Zagaan Bogd till Atas Inges chain of mountains. A few was living beyond Ehiin gol till Igmiin nuruu but now disappeared. Also some was in Shiliin nuruu but now completely disappeared. There are a few footprints of Gobi bears behind the mountain Segs Tsagaan Bogd. However there is a very rare chance to see them. Gobi bears are hibernation in the winter from the end of November till early March. So there is no chance to see the Gobi bears now.
When did you see the Gobi bear last time?
The last time I saw them 2 years ago. Now I can`t go behind them because of the ages. Mostly approach to them with horse and camel otherwise they runaway from car, biker`s noise. Recently our few gamekeepers have seen Gobi bear when they spread the feed around spotted area.
What do you think how many Gobi bears are there?
Gamekeepers say around 20 but I think more than it. When I saw first time I was 15 years old. That time showed frequently. They walked with cute cubs following.
What does Gobi bear eat? How do you feed them?
Gobi bear is carnivorous animal also eat herbs sometime. During a food shortage they usually eat the foods which gamekeepers put in spotted area. They eat roots of rhubarb, some berries grow in Gobi desert, and also rodent and insects. Roots of rhubarb grow deep into the dry Gobi soil and they dig it with their teeth and feet. The feed is made by Bajuun mixed with other herbs. They wandering spotted area and the strongest one eat first, others eat rest food. Mostly lay in shadow of Suhai after eat food. I approached this animal about 3-4 meters and got took photos. . They roared and got on the ground low when they saw us human beings. I was frightened so I did not get any closer because they are wild animal that might infest us
Does Gobi bear live in other countries except Mongolia?
No, only few Gobi bears and Wild camels are living in Mongolia. . Chinese people say that Mongolian Gobi bears come from a Chinese mountain with snow covered at the top when you look from range of Khonin Usni Gobi, at western part of Mongolia. It seems that certain amount of Gobi bears were in Chinese territory but they are diminished forever from that land.
Guess a lot of foreign people come to you to see Gobi bear but very few chances there to see Gobi bear?
Yeah lot of people came, some of them I followed behind Segs Sagaan Bogd. One Canadian man went with a camel about 40 days but took photo just one time. Sometimes couldn’t see any Gobi bear in whole month
How many years have you been working with Gobi bear?
Since 1977, I was working as a gamekeeper for 18 years until got in pension. It is a nice job to protect nature. The human beings are essentially connected to the nature. So we must save the nature because it is our mother.
How do you feel about climate change, desertification, natural and ecological changes in your country to compare with your childhood time?
-Desertification is getting faster. Many rivers and lakes are drying. The herbs and graces are disappearing year by year. Once the greenery /herbs, plant/ is getting poorer and the wild animals are going to die from starvation or migrate to another places. If there were any way to makes rain I would bring it. Our Gobi can feed animal for 2 years if one year have enough rain.
How was the weather this summer?
This year was bad. No rain. 2 years ago was better. Monks came to our soum /province/ that time and sacrificed the mountain and prayed, then the rain began. It seemed true it was after sacrificing to the mountain than it rained. I believed it. If it rains 4-5 times in Gobi in the summer it means it is a very good summer.
Now how about this winter?
- This winter is not so good. Even 40.000-50.000 live stock will be encamped this winter at the Gobi’s strictly protected area. When the live stock enter the strictly protected area, wild animal will be flushed and flora and plant will be destroyed. I think it is a wrong decision from the Government. However the situation of this winter is getting worse, we have to keep the rule that the "strictly protected area" literally means.
from Nomadicgreen.org
