Exhibition opens to save mazaalai
The Fresh Water Resources and Environmental Protection Center hosted a photography exhibition titled “Mazaalai We Know” from June 5 to 7...
The Fresh Water Resources and Environmental Protection Center hosted a photography exhibition titled “Mazaalai We Know” from June 5 to 7.
On the occasion of World Environment Day, annually marked worldwide on June 5, the photography exhibition took place to raise awareness, bring action and motivation for the protection of Mongolia's Gobi bear (mazaalai) and other rare animals that are in danger of extinction.
Photos that were on view at the exhibition were captured by cameras installed in areas where mazaalai usually live.
A photo titled “We are few” was always popular with the exhibition audiences as the photo made people feel the realistic situation facing mazaalai.
In the exhibition’s opening remarks, official of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism’s Environment and Nature Resources Department N.Jamyankhuu underlined that according to the most recent research by Mongolian scientists, the current number of mazaalai are approximately between 22 and 31 and they are living within an area of 454,000 square kilometers in the Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area and Atas Inges, Shar Khuls and Tsagaan Bogd oases in the Mongolian Gobi.
N.Jamyankhuu noted that as mazaalai are facing extinction in recent years due to shortage of their main food source -- roots and berries -caused by climate change in the Gobi, saving mazaalai has become a matter of great concern to Mongolians, as well as the world.
He added that the ministry is cooperating with the Institute of Biology at the National Academy of Science, Mazaalai Protection Fund, international donor organizations and the nation’s private companies to save the endangered mazaalai and improve their range.