This article summarizes a study published by Adiya Yadamsuren and colleagues: Yadamsuren, A., Daria, O. and Liu, S.C. The Seasonal Distribution of Wild Camels (Camelus ferus) in Relation to Changes of the Environmental Conditions in Mongolia. Open Journal of Ecology, 2019; 9: 293-314. https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2019.98021
The endangered Wild Camel (Camelus ferus) is one of the rarest and least understood large mammals on Earth, surviving only in a few isolated desert regions of Mongolia and China. A 2019 scientific study led by Dr. Adiya Yadamsuren and colleagues investigated how Wild Camels move across the Mongolian Gobi Desert throughout the year and how environmental conditions influence their seasonal distribution. The research was conducted within and around the Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area (GGSPA), one of the largest protected desert ecosystems in the world.
The Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area is an extremely harsh and remote environment, with temperatures ranging from approximately -35°C in winter to over 40°C in summer. Rainfall is very limited, water sources are scarce, and the landscape consists of rocky mountains, dry valleys, desert plains, and semi-arid shrublands. Despite these difficult conditions, the region supports a remarkable diversity of desert wildlife, including snow leopards, Gobi bears, khulan (wild asses), goitered gazelles, argali sheep, and ibex.
The study aimed to better understand which environmental factors are most important for Wild Camel survival and movement patterns. Researchers used satellite tracking collars placed on seven Wild Camels, collecting more than 3,300 location records over multiple years. They combined these tracking data with satellite imagery and environmental information such as land surface temperature, vegetation productivity (NDVI), soil type, elevation, drainage systems, and distance to water sources.
One of the most important findings of the study was that water availability strongly influences Wild Camel distribution throughout the year. The models consistently showed that camels are more likely to occur near water sources, especially in spring, summer, and winter. In such an arid environment, access to water is critical for survival, and oases within the Gobi Desert often become gathering points for Wild Camels.
The research also revealed how Wild Camels adapt to extreme desert temperatures. During the summer months, camels tend to move toward relatively cooler areas, often associated with mountainous terrain and slightly greener vegetation. Although Wild Camels are highly adapted to heat and can tolerate body temperatures exceeding 40°C to reduce water loss, they still avoid the hottest areas whenever possible. Researchers found that Wild Camels are more active in cooler conditions and often rest during the hottest parts of the day to conserve energy and water.
Another interesting finding involved vegetation. Contrary to what might be expected, Wild Camels were not strongly associated with areas of dense vegetation or high plant productivity. Instead, they tended to occur in areas with intermediate vegetation levels. This suggests that Wild Camels are highly specialized desert herbivores capable of surviving on sparse desert plants that many other large mammals cannot utilize effectively. During summer, however, the study found that camels were more likely to move into areas where fresh herbaceous plants appeared after seasonal rainfall.
The study also examined the importance of soil and habitat types. In summer, Wild Camels were associated with shallow mountain soils where temporary grasses and annual plants appear after rain. During other seasons, they used more arid valley and depression soils typical of the Gobi Desert. Shrub-dominated desert habitats consistently showed strong correlations with Wild Camel occurrence throughout the year.
Importantly, researchers identified “core areas” within the Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area that Wild Camels repeatedly used across spring, summer, and autumn. These areas likely represent critical habitat zones necessary for the species’ long-term survival. Seasonal distribution patterns differed substantially between winter and the rest of the year, suggesting that Wild Camels shift their ranges in response to changing environmental conditions and resource availability.
The paper also discusses the major threats facing Wild Camels today. These include habitat degradation, mining development, climate change, water scarcity, infrastructure expansion, and hybridization with domestic Bactrian camels. Because the global population is extremely small and fragmented, even relatively small disturbances could have major impacts on the species’ survival.
Beyond its scientific findings, the study highlights the importance of long-term field conservation work in remote desert ecosystems. Conducting research in the Gobi Desert requires enormous logistical effort, including collaboration with local rangers, breeding center staff, conservation organizations, and international scientists. The work of the Wild Camel Protection Foundation Mongolia and its partners have played a major role in improving understanding of this little-known species and supporting conservation planning for the future.
Overall, this research provides one of the most detailed scientific examinations of Wild Camel ecology in Mongolia and demonstrates how satellite tracking and environmental modelling can help guide conservation decisions for one of the world’s most endangered large mammals.