Wildlife of the Mongolian Steppe

  Mongolia

Ikh Nartiin Chuluu

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: 2008: May 3 - May 17, May 31 - Jun 14, Jul 5 - Jul 19, Aug 2 - Aug 16, Aug 30 - Sep 13, Sep 17 - Oct 1

Description: Research Mission
Exploring the lives of unique grassland animals, from lesser kestrels to Siberian ibex, to help conserve their wilderness home.

Situation Report
Ikh Nartiin Chuluu Nature Reserve, Dornogobi Aimag, Mongolia -- This magnificent region of semiarid grasslands and rock outcrops is one of the best hopes for wildlife in central Asia. Argali sheep, lesser kestrels, cinereous vultures, and other animals threatened throughout their range find a stronghold here. Herds of graceful mongolian gazelle and goitered gazelle roam freely through the reserve. For three years, Earthwatch teams here have worked to study and conserve threatened argali, the largest mountain sheep in the world with huge, curling horns. Their efforts have been so successful at inspiring public attention to the plight of argali that they are expanding their research. You can help an international team of scientists explore the lives of a broad range of wildlife in this semiarid refuge.

Meals and Accommodations
This project requires a reasonably good fitness level and familiarity with hiking and camping. Team members share quarters in traditional Mongolian gers, cozy and colorful oases from the vast steppe, or in smaller camping tents. A cook will prepare meals (with your help serving and cleaning up), a mixture of familiar and local fare, including Mongolian "barbecue" cooked with hot rocks. The field camp includes solar showers, solar-powered lights, and outhouses. You will travel to the field site by train and 4-wheel drive van from Ulaanbaatar, a spectacularly scenic ride.

Highlights: On the Expedition
You will work with an international team of scientists, including Sukhiin Amgalanbaatar (Mongolian Academy of Sciences), Ganchimeg Wingard (Denver Zoological Foundation), Jed Murdoch (Oxford University), and Dr. Richard Reading. Depending on your team, you will help capture ibex, argali, or small carnivores, and chart their movements using radiotelemetry. You will also make behavioral observations of individual ibex and argali, and collect vegetation and carnivore scat samples. Some of your time will be devoted to monitoring the nest success of cinereous vultures and lesser kestrels, conducting transect surveys for mammals and lizards, and using trapping grids to capture small mammals. You will enjoy an extraordinary perspective of the central Asian semiarid steppe environment, as well as visits with local herders for a unique cultural experience.

Qualifications: Earthwatch volunteers are enthusiastic to learn about the research topic and are willing to contribute their time and energy to support leading scientists in conducting field research. Volunteers will be trained upon arrival at the research site. Teams have a minimum age of 18, unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian, in which case the minimum age is 16.

Cost in US$: 2,946

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Earthwatch expeditions appeal to a variety of people: educators gain new knowledge and develop exciting lesson plans; students explore career options and build research skills; writers, photographers and artists contribute their skills and share their experiences through a variety of media; businessmen and women, doctors and nurses, engineers, homemakers, retirees . . . people from all walks of life choose to volunteer on research expeditions each year. Volunteers are actively engaged on a daily basis with the research project, develop global perspectives, and explore new cultures and environments.

Age Range: 18 - 90

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Mongolia Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 2-8

Scholarships are Available. - Fellowships may be available, mainly for high-school students and educators. Visit our website for more information.

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Earthwatch Institute's Mission Statement: Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Through a unique method of funding, the volunteers Share of Cost contributes directly to the support of the research projects. Earthwatch enables scientists to pursue research goals and members of the public to gain hands-on experience with science. Each year, over 4,000 people from 46 countries directly contribute to scientific research by working alongside scientists, local community members and other volunteers. Earthwatch volunteers can track sea turtles; join archaeological digs; observe animal behavior; collect rare plants, study dolphin behavior and more. Hundreds of expedition teams can use your help in 48 countries and 16 U.S. states this year.

Year Founded: 1971