Scientific Meeting - Mongolia: The Last Refuge for Central Asia's Large Mammals

As a refuge for many of central Asia's most threatened species, the causes and effects of large scale declines in Mongolia's biodiversity will be outlined in this month's Scientific Meeting.

Mongolia's vast and diverse landscape, covering an area as large as Western Europe, has traditionally been a refuge for many of central Asia’s most threatened species, such as the Asiatic wild ass, Przewalski's horse, Bactrian camel, Saiga antelope and Snow leopard. Over the past two decades the economy has become increasingly liberalized, resulting in rapid social and economic change.

The impact of this on Mongolian wildlife will be explored by identifying the intensifying threat processes, defining the status of Mongolia’s vertebrates and highlighting massive declines. Lessons learned from the recent success story of the re-introduction of Przewalski's horse will be discussed. Finally, actions necessary to reverse the large-scale biodiversity loss in Mongolia will be outlined.

5.30pm Silent Auction Opens items will be displayed in the foyer and bids accepted

6.00pm Wildlife in a land of rapid transition an introduction to the rapid social and economic change that has taken place in Mongolia since the early 90s and the impact this has had on the country's wildlife
Dr Jonathan Baillie, Research Fellow, Institute of Zoology, ZSL, London

6.30pm Securing the future of Mongolia's wildlife a successful conservation initiative providing opportunities for Mongolia’s future conservation leaders and a sustainable project working with herders to monitor and protect Mongolia's species
Jargal Jamsramjav, Director, Steppe Forward Programme, National University of Mongolia

7.00pm Intermission with live traditional Mongolian music and a cash bar in the foyer. Bids for silent auction accepted until end of intermission

7.30pm The return of the wild horse the success story of the reintroduction of Przewalski’s horse
Dr. Sarah R. B. King, Association Takh, Station Biologique du la Tour de Valat

8.00pm Auction winners announced

Organised by Dr Jonathan Baillie, Institute of Zoology, ZSL.

Auction Catalogue (2.9 MB)

Mongolia: the last refuge for Central Asia's large mammals Scientific Meeting abstracts (45 KB)

Please note that this event was part of the 2006-07 Scientific Meetings programme

Related links
ZSL Scientific Meetings