Satellite Tracking of Critically Endangered Gobi Bears Begins in Mongolia

Gobi bear

Under the initiative of the President of Mongolia, a major milestone in wildlife conservation was achieved on September 12, 2025. A Gobi bear (Ursus arctos gobiensis), locally known as the Mazaalai, weighing approximately 70 kilograms, and its 25-kilogram cub were successfully captured and fitted with satellite-tracking collars at Suuj Bulag oasis, located in Zone ‘A’ of the Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area (GGSPA).

These advanced collars do more than just transmit real-time location data—they are also equipped with video recording capabilities, allowing scientists to gain unprecedented insights into the behavior, diet, habitat preferences, and interactions of these elusive animals in their natural environment.

This conservation project is jointly implemented by the Mazaalai Society, Mongolia Aid International Inc. (a Commonwealth of Australia-based organization), and the administration of the Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area’s Zone A. It is financed by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia as part of a broader strategy to protect and monitor the critically endangered species.

The Gobi Bear: A Unique Desert-Dwelling Subspecies

The Gobi bear is the world’s only known bear subspecies adapted exclusively to desert life, and it is found solely in the remote regions of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. These bears are extremely rare and uniquely resilient, surviving in one of the harshest environments on Earth, where food and water are scarce and temperatures range from +40°C in summer to –40°C in winter.

First documented in the early 1920s near Aj Bogd Mountain in the Altai Mountain Range, the Gobi bear was later scientifically recognized by Russian zoologists as a distinct subspecies of the brown bear (Ursus arctos). In 1953, a resolution by the Presidium of the People’s Great Khural afforded the bear full legal protection, prohibiting hunting and laying the foundation for long-term conservation efforts.

Population Trends and Conservation Challenges

The population of Gobi bears has fluctuated significantly over the past century:

• 1960s: Estimated at 15–20 individuals

• 1970s: Around 20 bears

• Early 1980s: 25–30 bears

• Late 1980s: Peaked at 50–60 individuals

• Early 1990s: Declined to just over 30

• 2024: Estimated at approximately 50 bears

Despite decades of protection, the Gobi bear remains Critically Endangered according to both Mongolian and global conservation assessments. Fragmented habitat, climate change, limited food availability, and low genetic diversity pose ongoing threats to its survival. The species is also listed in the Mongolian Red Book and is protected under national and international laws.

Recent monitoring efforts include non-invasive genetic analysis, such as DNA profiling from hair samples collected in the field. These samples are analyzed at the University of Idaho (USA), providing critical data on genetic diversity, population structure, and reproductive health.

Biology and Behavior

Gobi bears closely resemble the brown bear but are notably smaller and leaner, a likely adaptation to their arid habitat. For instance, an adult male Gobi bear recorded in Tsagaan Bogd Mountain measured 168 cm in length, stood 92 cm at the shoulder, and weighed only 90 kg—significantly less than typical brown bears.

Key biological traits include:

• Reproduction: Bears reproduce once every 2–3 years

• Litter size: Usually 1–2 cubs per birth

• Parental care: Cubs stay with their mother until age two

• Independence: Young bears become solitary by their third year

Their coat changes with the seasons: in summer, it is uniformly brown; in winter and spring, the coat darkens with a lighter undercoat. Coloration can vary depending on age, sex, and seasonal changes.

Tracking and Habitat Range

Satellite tracking conducted between 2005 and 2019 has provided valuable data on the movement patterns of Gobi bears. A total of 26 individuals were collared during this period. The bears have been observed traveling across the Atas, Shar Khuls Mountain Range, and Tsagaan Bogd Mountain, highlighting the vast home ranges required to find sufficient food and water in the desert.