Surviving Winter in the Gobi
The Gobi Desert is a land of extremes. While many associate deserts with scorching heat, winters in the Gobi can be equally unforgiving, with temperatures dropping below −35°C, accompanied by strong winds and snow. During this time, natural vegetation becomes scarce, making it difficult for animals to find enough food to survive.
At Wild Camel Protection Foundation’s (WCPF) two Wild Camel Breeding Centers in southern Mongolia, winter hay plays a critical role in protecting the endangered Wild Camel (Camelus ferus). The Wild Camel Breeding Centers are located in the Gobi Desert, the natural habitat of Mongolia’s remaining Wild Camel population, which is estimated to number fewer than 500 individuals in Mongolia. WCPF’s Wild Camel Ex Situ Breeding Program is the only one of its kind in the world. It was established to conserve and protect this remarkable species through managed breeding and scientific management, maintaining a secure population while supporting sustainable, long-term conservation efforts for this IUCN-listed species.
Winter Breeding Season
Each September, the captive Wild Camels that graze outside the breeding centers in a Protected Area brought back into Wild Camel Breeding Center enclosures for the winter breeding season. This allows staff to closely monitor the Wild Camels and provide appropriate care, protection, and nutrition throughout the harshest months of the year.
During severe winters, the enclosures provide a safer environment where the Wild Camels can be reliably fed, and their health and reproductive condition closely monitored throughout the breeding season.
This is also especially important for pregnant females expected to give birth in the coming spring, as proper care and nutrition help support healthy pregnancies and improve the likelihood of successful births and calf survival.
Importance of Winter Hay
Hay becomes their primary source of nutrition inside the enclosures as fresh forage is unavailable. It provides the fiber and energy needed to maintain body condition, supports healthy digestion, and helps the animals withstand prolonged periods of freezing temperatures.
Adequate nutrition also supports thermoregulation. Although Wild Camels develop dense winter coats and possess remarkable adaptations to extreme temperatures, they still require energy to maintain their body temperature. Strong winds increase heat loss, while prolonged cold raises the energy required for normal metabolism. When food is limited, animals must draw more heavily on stored body reserves, which may lead to weight loss and reduced resilience over time.
Winter nutrition is particularly important for pregnant females, nursing mothers, and young calves. A healthy diet during pregnancy supports fetal development and healthy births, while adequate nutrition allows mothers to produce sufficient milk for their calves. Young camels also require proper nourishment to grow, develop strong immune systems, and adapt to the challenging desert environment.
Additional hay reserves are particularly important during severe winter events known in Mongolia as dzud. Extreme cold, deep snow, ice, or drought during the preceding summer can greatly reduce access to natural forage. Such conditions have caused widespread livestock mortality across Mongolia and may also threaten wildlife. Adequate hay reserves provide an essential safeguard against prolonged storms, transportation disruptions, and delayed vegetation growth in spring.
The quality of hay is as important as the quantity. Its nutritional value depends on the plant species, maturity at harvest, drying conditions, and storage. Properly harvested and stored hay provides energy, protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins, while poorly stored forage may lose nutritional value or develop mold.
Logistical Challenges & Budget
Providing winter hay is logistically challenging. Both breeding centers are located in remote regions of the Gobi Desert. Large quantities of hay must be harvested, transported over long distances and unpredictable off-road terrain, and safely stored before winter begins. Careful planning is essential to ensure that there is enough nutritious feed to support the camels throughout the winter.
Approximately US$30,000 must be raised each year to provide sufficient winter hay for the 40+ captive Wild Camels at the two Wild Camel Breeding Centers. This annual commitment helps ensure that the Wild Camels have a reliable supply of foods throughout the winter. These breeding centers maintain the world’s only captive population of Wild Camels, as no Wild Camels are currently held in zoos anywhere else in the world.
Every Bale Supports Wild Camel Conservation
Although hay may seem like an ordinary resource, it is one of the most important investments in Wild Camel conservation. A reliable supply of nutritious forage reduces the risk of malnutrition, supports reproductive success, and enhances the overall health of the breeding herd. Every bale contributes to the survival of animals that represent the future of this endangered species. As winter settles across the Gobi, stacks of hay become far more than stored feed — they represent security, preparation, and hope.