One of the critically endangered animal species in the earth Gobi bear or Mazaalai just left 22 heads, by the latest census.
According to researchers the Gobi bear is living in only in Mongolian Gobi desert, and now it has become urgent to save this endangered animal.
The Gobi bear locally known as Mazaalai is a subspecies of the brown bear found in Gobi desert of Mongolia. Mazaalai lives in most remote parts of the Gobi desert wandering near oasis and mountain ranges with water sources where they can survive through harsh and extreme desert climate. It is considered that the main factors of endangering of this animal are eradication of environment, climate change and warmth, precipitation reduction and shortage of foods.
By an order of the former People’s Khural of Mongolia, hunting of the Gobi bear prohibited since 1953, registering in the list of very rare animals. In 1987, the animal was listed in the Red Book as a severely endangered rare animal.
The Gobi bear gives birth once in two years. As of today, a research says there are just eight female and 14 male heads of the animal, and the sex ratio and the reproduction have been lost. So, a matter on saving the Gobi bear is being discussed not only at a national level, but also at the international level.
The Mongolian Ministry of Environment and Green Development announced 2013 as the Year of saving Mazaalai, and then has opened donation funds of NGOs in order to intensify the saving of the animal with the civil and public participation. Moreover, the government of Mongolia has placed money in the state budget of this year to regularly operate the Reproduction center of Gobi bear, to prepare trained staffs, to install a laboratory in the center and provide it with necessary facilities. Now Mongolia plans to invite foreign scientists and researchers in the works of saving the animal, and to study their experience in growing up very rare animals.