With the permission of Kate Rae, the co-founder and Trustee of Wild Camel Protection Foundation, I am reposting the newsletter 46 of Wild Camel Protection Foundation.
Management Agreement of the Wild Camel Breeding Program
In April 2025, the ongoing Management Agreement between the Wild Camel Protection Foundation and the Mongolian Ministry of Environment and Climate Change was formally signed at the Ministry offices in Ulaanbaatar. This written agreement is a legal requirement in Mongolia, as the Wild Camel is listed as an Endangered species on the IUCN Red List and is also included in the Mongolian Red Book, making its protection the legal responsibility of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. Mongolia will host the COP meeting in August 2026. Desertification is a major and increasing challenge in the country due to declining annual rainfall. The Wild Camel Breeding Centers are located in the Gobi Desert, an area already significantly affected by desertification. The Wild Camel Breeding Centre project has become a major conservation success for both the Mongolian Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the United Kingdom. The Wild Camel Protection Foundation has consistently received strong support from the British Embassy in Mongolia, reflecting its role as a British charity that has been operating successfully in Mongolia for more than 20 years.
Establishment of the Second Wild Camel Breeding Centre and Ex Situ Program
In September 2024, a group of male and female Wild Camels was successfully transported by two large trucks from the Wild Camel Breeding Centre at Zakhyn Us to the newly established John Hare Wild Camel Breeding Centre at Toli Bulag, a journey of more than 350 kilometers. The translocation was carried out under the careful supervision of the Wild Camel Protection Foundation team.
Sincere thanks are extended to the team involved, including Dr Jen Quayle, veterinarian at Knowsley Safari Park and Wild Camel expert; Dr Pamela Burger, Austrian veterinarian and international camel expert; Dr Anna Jemmett; and WCPF Director Dr Adiya Yadamsuren, a leading Wild Camel expert, together with his dedicated Mongolian team.
The Toli Bulag Breeding Centre is located within the Buffer Zone of the Great Gobi Area of Special Protection A, which is the natural habitat of the remaining Wild Camel population in Mongolia.
With the establishment of this facility, there are now two Wild Camel Breeding Centers, forming the only Ex situ Wild Camel Breeding Program in the world. There are no Wild Camels (Camelus ferus) held in zoos anywhere globally.
The second Breeding Center was developed on the advice of the Wild Camel Scientific Advisory Group, whose members are all internationally recognized Wild Camel experts.
Conservation Impact and Species Status
The Wild Camel is now classified as Endangered, rather than Critically Endangered. As Dr Anna Jemmett has noted, this positive change in conservation status is due in large part to the long term, continuous, and successful work of the Wild Camel Protection Foundation in Mongolia.
Breeding Management and Protection of Adult Males and Calves
Work at Tsagaan Burgas has now been completed. This facility was developed following the advice of the Wild Camel Scientific Committee to provide a safe location for surplus adult male Wild Camels during the winter breeding season. Breeding age males are at significant risk if kept near dominant breeding males during this period.
In addition, great care must be taken to ensure the survival of all Wild Camel calves born each spring. These calves represent the future of the program, making their survival critically important. To reduce losses from wolf predation, mothers and calves are now kept within the Breeding Centre enclosure, in areas protected by electric fencing, for the first six to twelve months or longer, until the calves are better able to survive in the wild.
Environmental Education Schools Project
The Environmental Education Schools Project at Bayontori near Zakhyn Us operates under the supervision of the WCPF Mongolian Director and Deputy Director, Dr Odonkhuu. Funding for the project is provided by two zoos.
Research, Monitoring, and Capacity Building
Managing an Ex-situ Wild Camel Breeding Program in Mongolia is highly complex, as it is the only program of its kind in the world. At the same time, it provides exceptional opportunities for scientific research into Wild Camel behavior, both within the two breeding center enclosures during the winter breeding season and after release each May, when camels fitted with satellite collars move into the Buffer Zone to feed on fresh vegetation.
Wild Camel Research Centers
With two Wild Camel Breeding Centers now established, there is an opportunity to develop a Wild Camel Research Center that can host both international and Mongolian scientists. Researchers would be able to stay at one or both breeding centers to study captive Wild Camels, desertification, water points, and habitat loss.
Mongolian PhD Student Program
Dr Pamela Burger, international camel expert at the Veterinary University of Vienna, has secured funding for a Mongolian student from the Mongolian Academy of Sciences to undertake a PhD. This student will spend time at both Wild Camel Breeding Centers, studying Wild Camels in close collaboration with WCPF.
Breeding Centre Vehicle
In 2025, a dedicated vehicle was purchased for the Wild Camel Breeding Centers with the generous support of multiple donors. Donor logos have been displayed on the vehicle in recognition of their contributions.
Winter Hay Requirements
WCPF extends sincere thanks to everyone who donated towards winter hay supplies. With two captive Wild Camel Breeding Centers now in operation, as well as the Tsagaan Burgas facility, additional hay is required.
Current Operational Overheads
Current overheads include salaries for the Mongolian Director, Deputy Director, and breeding center staff, fuel costs, office expenses in Ulaanbaatar, and winter hay supplies.
Plans and Priorities for 2026
Breeding Center Maintenance
The Zakhyn Us Wild Camel Breeding Center, originally constructed in 2002–2003 with limited resources, now requires significant maintenance. Planned upgrades include:
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Replacement of wooden fence poles with metal poles
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Installation of new metal gates
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Replacement with stronger fence mesh
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Renewal of damaged wooden structures inside the enclosure
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Installation of solar powered electric fencing in selected areas at both breeding centers
Most materials, including steel poles, gates, and fencing mesh, will need to be sourced from China, resulting in additional transport and border crossing costs.
COP Ulaanbaatar August 2026
WCPF UK and WCPF Mongolia plan to host a table within the MECC pavilion at the COP meeting in August 2026 to showcase Wild Camel conservation work and environmental education initiatives.
Genome Sequencing
Genome sequencing of all captive Wild Camels will be completed to support long term genetic management of the population.
Staff Training
Training of WCPF breeding center staff will continue throughout 2026. This program is partially funded by a European zoo and is essential to maintaining high standards of animal care and management.
Ongoing Scientific Studies
The Prague Master’s student, Martina, will continue her research by travelling to the breeding centers in June to carry out further behavioral studies.
Environmental Education
The Environmental Education Program will continue, with a particular focus on supporting schools as they prepare materials and displays for the WCPF table at COP 2026.
Mongolian PhD Research
The Mongolian PhD program will commence in collaboration with the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, strengthening national research capacity in Wild Camel conservation.
Collaboration with China
WCPF remains in regular contact with Dr Yuan Lei, Director of the Lop Nur Arjin Shan Wild Camel National Nature Reserve in China. Dr Adiya Yadamsuren also maintains direct communication with Dr Yuan Lei, and information is shared on a regular basis.
Sponsorship of a Newborn Wild Camel Calf
We extend our sincere thanks to the individuals and zoos that are already sponsoring a Wild Camel calf. Your support covers the costs of veterinary visits, medicines, and vaccinations. If you are interested in sponsoring a calf, please contact me directly via email.
Membership Support
Thank you to all members for your continued support of WCPF. Membership can be renewed for £25.00 per year via PayPal or by direct transfer to the Wild Camel Protection Foundation bank account, available in Pounds, US Dollars, or Euros. Full payment details are available on the WCPF website at
Kate Rae
Co- Founder/Trustee
Email: krae77777@aol.com
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11 December 2025