Wild Camel Protection Foundation

The Wild Camel Captive Breeding Programme - Mongolia

THE WILD CAMEL CAPTIVE BREEDING PROGRAMME IN MONGOLIA.

As a safeguard against the extinction of the wild Bactrian camel in China and Mongolia, the Wild Camel Protection Foundation (WCPF) has established a Captive wild Bactrian camel breeding programme in Mongolia, the only programme of its type in the world. The Mongolian Ministry of Nature and the Environment (MNE) supports this initiative and has made land available near the Great Gobi Specially Protected Area 'A', the only natural habitat of the wild Bactrian camel in Mongolia. Several small buildings and a ten kilometre fence were erected in 2003. With the establishment of this captive wild camel breeding centre comes a unique opportunity to study this remarkable animal and increase the numbers of wild Bactrian camels in captivity. In 2006 there were 15 wild Bactrian camels in this holding area. In the last three years there had been five live births at the Centre. DNA testing on the captive camels is currently underway to confirm that these wild Bactrian camels in captivity are genetically pure. When this genetic purity is confirmed, the WCPF will start an international stud book to register the breeding herd. It will be the only registered breeding herd in the world for wild Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus ferus) .

The fresh water spring at the captive wild Bactrian camel breeding centre, Zakyn-us, Mongolia

IMMUNE SYSTEM The immune system of a single humped, dromedary camel is beginning to yield amazing secrets. For example, tests have shown that certain types of diseases including diabetes can be managed and sometimes cured through the consumption of camel milk. It is possible but not yet proven that the single-humped camel is descended from the double-humped camel, and some scientists consider that a detailed study of the immune system of the wild Bactrian camel will yield scientific discoveries which will be of benefit medically to mankind. For example, the wild Bactrian camels in China survived 43 atmospheric nuclear tests and are still breeding naturally without any recognisable deformities? How has the wild Bactrian camel in China managed to survive drinking salt water slush, when a domestic Bactrian camel will not drink it? With the development of the Captive Breeding Centre in Mongolia it will be possible for national and international scientists to study this unique animal. We have been successful in raising funds to build the Centre; employ staff and a part-time vet; and start the local public awareness programmes. However, in addition to the daily program of protecting these camels and managing the Centre, there is much more which has to be done to ensure that the Centre becomes sustainable in the long term. To continue this important work further funding is urgently needed. COST: USD$100,000 THIS WOULD COVER THE COSTS FOR THE BREEDING PROGRAMME IN MONGOLIA DURING 2006/2007.

ANNUAL BUDGET

Part A

1. The Mongolian Ministry of Nature and the Environment set aside an area of land where the WCPF established the captive wild Bactrian camel breeding centre. It is called Zakhyn-Us in western Mongolia. As the WCPF will be working with Mongolian and international scientists, the MNE have been consulted regarding the suitability of the area for the programme. It was agreed that the WCPF would make an annual contribution to the running costs of the protected area and to partly support the MNE in its efforts to protect the wild Bactrian camel a Red Book IUCN listed species.

Cost Allocation: Payment to Mongolian Ministry of Nature and the Environment

COST: = $2,500
In addition Great Gobi Protected Area staff are included, all costs covered in several WCPF organized training programs. (See Kenya training course)

2. ADMINISTRATION SALARY AND HEAD OFFICE OPERATING COSTS

We now have a Project Co-ordinator Mr D. Enkhbileg (Bilgee) who is a biologist. He is doing an excellent job managing the project and the Centre. We receive monthly reports from him and he also prepares an annual budget for our approval. In addition to the breeding site, there is an office rented from the MNE in Ulaan Baator and an on site 'ger' (Mongolian tent) for field accommodation. Bilgee is also working on public awareness programs locally in Zakhyn-us, and has started environmental education awareness programs in schools. As the Coordinator of the Centre he works closely with the Ministry of Nature and the Environment; the Director of the Great Gobi Protected Area and the community local to the captive camel breeding centre site. He is also working with the locals to see if they increase their income by making items, scarves and hats, from camel hair which can be sold both in Mongolia and by the WCPF internationally. There is also a vehicle for use at the site and for travelling from Ulaan Baator to the site at Zakhyn-Us.

Next year, visitors and scientists will be encouraged to visit the site to make their own assessment and conduct research on the breeding herd.

COST: $20,500 per year

3. COST OF HERDSMEN AND OF A PART-TIME VET

We have hired a Mongolian herdsmen, Tsog Erdene, to look after the wild Bactrian camels and the newly born calves. This was done in consultation and
co-operation with the protected area staff and the local people. It is seen as a benefit for the local community, as well as involving them in the role of stewards of the environment and the long term protection of the wild Bactrian camel. We have also hired a veterinarian on a past time basis to look after the welfare of the captive wild camels.

(a) Part-time fully qualified local vet = $3,500
(b) Medicines for the camels = $5,500
(c) Herdsman’s wages = $1,000
COST: = $ 10,000 PER ANNUM

PLUS
(1) Feeding of animals with supplements
including hay during winter. = $7,500

TOTAL = $40,500 per annum

PART B

4. PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAMME IN MONGOLIA

There is a need for fact sheets about the wild Bactrian camel and its natural habitat and other related environmental material e.g., water and desertification. The WCPF has a programme for developing this material for primary and secondary school children and the materials will be published in Mongolia. It is vitally important that the younger generation are made fully aware of their endangered species and why the should be protected. Bilgee is also preparing posters on the wild Bactrian camel for schools. All materials have to be in English and Mongolian, then they can also be used as school readers.
COST: $75,000

5. SCIENTIFIC WORK

(1) Field work and scientific study by Mongolian scientists of food and water supply for the wild Bactrian camels in the Protected Area.
Bilgee the Project Coordinator works closely with the Park Rangers and often accompanies them on surveys in the Great Gobi Protected Area. This enables him to study the wild Bactrian camel in its natural habitat, its diet and to understand more clearly the pressures on the wild Bactrian camel and threats to its survival. There are also field surveys with Mongolian scientists to study food supply, water-holes and grazing issues pressure on buffer zones.

(2) Genetic Purity Initial blood tests to ensure the purity of the wild Bactrian camel to be used in the breeding programme. This is currently being done under the supervision of Dr Chris Walzer at the Vienna University. Dr Walzer had been heavily involved in the reintroduction programme of the Prjewalsky wild horse in Mongolia. This programme will build on the studies already made by Dr Han Jianlin, a Chinese scientist from Gansu University working with Professor Hanotte at the International Livestock Research Institute in Nairobi, Kenya. The DNA of the wild Bactrian camel shows a 3% base difference from the domestic Bactrian Camel and it does appear that the domestic Bactrian camel descended from the wild Bactrian camel as we know it to-day. Further tests need to be undertaken and these are very expensive. It is essential the captive wild Bactrian camel breeding programme is only undertaken with wild Bactrian camels of a pure genetic strain. Without this confirmation, the International Stud Book cannot be prepared. COST: $50,000 WILD CAMEL PROTECTION FOUNDATION

All the money to date has been raised by the efforts of the Managing Trustees of the Wild Camel Protection Foundation. Members and supporters have been very generous both in their financial support and time. A number of members of the WCPF and supporters have sponsored a young camel calf for five years. This has helped with the high cost of medicines and winter feed at the breeding centre.

No salaries are paid to any of the trustees of the Wild Camel Protection Foundation and the annual cost of running an office, stationary, electricity, communications and rent has to be paid from fund raising activities. The Managing Trustees of the Wild Camel Protection Foundation are actively fund-raising for money and in-kind contributions whether scientific expertise or equipment for this project.

OTHER FUNDING

Several scientists are interested in studying the wild Bactrian camel and there is a plan to try to offset some of the in-country costs. For example; offsetting the remuneration for the herdsmen by charging visiting scientists a fee per visit.

Although the Ministry for Nature and the Environment in Mongolia has offered its full support, they do not give the WCPF any finance. The WCPF has overall responsibility for implementing and financing the entire breeding project. This means co-ordinating all the individuals and institutions involved, and reporting to sponsors and WCPF members. The overriding priority of the WCPF is to ensure the protection of the wild Bactrian camel. In choosing to establish this captive wild Bactrian camel breeding programme, the WCPF wants to ensure that at all times it is the interests of the wild Bactrian camel which are given the highest priority.
This includes, administration, co-ordination and air travel to and within Mongolia and expenses and costs while in Mongolia.

COSTS: $50,000

TOTAL COST FOR ALL FUNDING =$215,000 PER ANNUM

Captive wild Bactrian camels in the breeding program, Zakyn-us, Mongolia.

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