A bear in a desert
Bears are not animals most people associate with deserts, which is part of why the Gobi bear, known in Mongolian as the mazaalai, attracts so much attention. It is generally regarded as a very rare population of brown bear that lives in a small part of the southwestern Gobi, in and around a protected area near the Chinese border. Its exact classification has been discussed by scientists, and its numbers are believed to be very low, often described as only a few dozen animals, though counts are difficult and estimates change.
Because the population is so small and the terrain so remote, almost no visitors ever see one. It is more accurate to see the Gobi bear as a conservation story than as a wildlife-watching target. Travel to the strictly protected area where it lives is restricted, and permits and rules apply. Check current official guidance before assuming access is possible.
How the Gobi bear lives
Gobi bears are smaller and lighter than many brown bears elsewhere and tend to be described as mostly plant eaters. Their diet is believed to include roots, berries, desert plants and other vegetation, with insects, rodents and carrion as occasional extras. Details come from limited research, so statements about the bear’s diet and behavior should be taken as general.
They are thought to depend on a few oases and springs, where vegetation and water are available. Supplementary feeding has been used in the past to help the bears through difficult periods, and conservationists continue to debate and refine such measures. Threats include drought, limited food, tiny population size and disturbance. Climate change may make dry conditions harder still, a subject discussed in our overview of climate change in Mongolian grasslands and deserts.
What makes the Gobi so hard
The Gobi is not one continuous sand sea. It is a vast region of gravel plains, rocky hills, dry basins, scrub and some dunes, with big temperature swings: very cold winters and hot summers, with large differences between day and night. Rain is sparse and unreliable. Many places can go years with little precipitation, then receive a sudden storm.
Animals survive by using a combination of strategies:
- Staying near water. Springs, wells and seasonal pools concentrate wildlife.
- Being active at the right time. Many desert animals feed at dawn, dusk or night to avoid heat.
- Burrowing. Underground shelters are cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
- Eating tough or sparse food. Shrubs, dry grass and succulent plants are food for those that can digest them.
- Moving long distances. Some hoofed animals roam widely to find rain-fed vegetation.
Other desert survivors
Wild Bactrian camel. A very rare camel living in the far southwest of the country, separate from the domestic Bactrian camels herders keep. See the dedicated article on Bactrian camels for more.
Khulan. The Asiatic wild ass, a fast and wary animal that lives on open gravel plains. Herds can cover great distances.
Goitered gazelle. A slender gazelle of the semi-desert and steppe edges, usually seen in small groups and quick to flee.
Argali and ibex. The rocky hills and massifs in the Gobi hold wild sheep and goats, as noted in the article on mountain sheep.
Snow leopard and wolf. Both occur in some Gobi mountains, though they are hard to see.
Small mammals and reptiles. Jerboas, gerbils, hedgehogs and various lizards are numerous but mostly hidden by day or by night. Eagles, falcons and owls prey on them.
Birds. The Gobi has its own birds, including ground-dwelling and scrub species that are interesting to bird enthusiasts. A relevant overview is provided under birdwatching seasons.
Visiting the Gobi respectfully
Many people visit the Gobi for its dunes, cliffs and sense of space. Wildlife is usually a bonus. The area around Gurvansaikhan park is a common destination, and information on it is in the park overview. Dunes are covered in the article on sand dunes, and fossil sites are described under Flaming Cliffs.
When traveling in the desert:
- Keep your distance from animals, especially at water sources. Wildlife may avoid a spring if people crowd it, and that can cost them valuable drinking time.
- Do not drive off established tracks where this is discouraged, because desert vegetation recovers slowly.
- Carry plenty of water and be self-sufficient, and follow local advice about heat and weather.
- Take rubbish away with you.
- Report injured animals to rangers or local authorities rather than handling them.
Anyone planning a Gobi journey will find additional practical detail in the notes on planning a Gobi trip, and general conditions in the region are covered under the Gobi Desert. Weather and road conditions can change quickly in the desert, so allow extra time.
Why they matter
The Gobi’s animals show how much life can persist in a harsh landscape, and also how fragile it is. A tiny population like the Gobi bear can be pushed by a single bad year. Protecting springs, limiting disturbance and cooperating with local people are among the approaches conservationists use, and the role of local rangers is described in the community conservation article.