Khulan Return to Eastern Mongolia After Railway Barrier

An Oryx study confirms that the Asiatic wild ass (khulan, *Equus hemionus*) has re-established a population east of the Trans-Mongolian Railway (TMR). Camera traps, GPS collars and surveys recorded crossings near Zamiin-Uud and counted 384 individuals in four groups in October 2024.

Mongabay

The TMR was fenced along most of its length to keep livestock off the tracks, creating a barrier that isolated eastern steppe habitats. Harsh winters, hunting, habitat loss and the fence caused local extinction of khulan east of the railway by the mid-20th century.

Mongabay

Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar, scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia, led the effort, coordinating GPS collaring of 29 khulan and monitoring. WCS Mongolia partnered with the Mongolian government and railway managers; Justine Shanti Alexander, WCS Mongolia Country Director, oversaw collaboration.

GoodNewsNetwork

GPS data showed two khulan crossing the fence-free segment near Zamiin-Uud, and surveys in October 2024 recorded 384 animals across four groups. Researchers estimate the species now uses at least 4,000 km² (?1,500 mi²) of its range east of the tracks, up from 25 individuals documented in June 2024.

Mongabay

In May 2025, Mongolian authorities and conservation partners signed an agreement designating a “safe passage” zone near Zamiin-Uud. The pact coordinates wildlife movement, addresses livestock-safety concerns that led to the 2021 re-fencing, and expands monitoring via camera traps, ranger patrols and GPS tracking.

Mongabay

Livestock owners and railway operators voiced safety concerns, prompting the 2021 re-fencing of gaps and highlighting tension between connectivity and agriculture. Conservationists note habitat fragmentation, competition with domestic animals, illegal hunting and climate variability remain threats to the fledgling eastern population.

GoodNewsNetwork

• “Khulan are highly mobile nomadic ungulates that depend on access to vast, connected landscapes to track highly variable pasture and water resources.” — Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar, WCS Mongolia senior scientist

Mongabay

• “Documenting khulan crossing this long-standing barrier and beginning to re-establish in their former range represents an extraordinary conservation breakthrough.” — Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar

GoodNewsNetwork

• “The return of khulan to eastern Mongolia reflects years of collaborative work with provincial authorities, border protection agencies, and railway managers, as well as careful testing of temporary fence gaps that showed wildlife could cross safely without increasing train collisions.” — Justine Shanti Alexander, WCS Mongolia Country Director

GoodNewsNetwork

• “Prior to the agreement, wildlife approaching the border area were often pushed away from crossing zones.” — Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar

Mongabay

Plans call for an area east of the railway to secure habitat for khulan. The safe passage zone will be expanded with monitoring infrastructure, and Mongolia aims to raise area coverage toward a 30 % target under a Nature Conservancy agreement. Coordination among railway managers, border agencies and herders will be needed to sustain the corridor.

Mongabay