James Murdoch

Evaluating the Impacts of Carnivore Hunting in the Grassland and Semi-Desert Steppes of Mongolia

Pallas’ cat (Otocolobus manul) in a rock den in the Ikh Nartiin Chuluun Nature Reserve. Photo copyrighted by James Murdoch.

Gobi Lynx.

Town/RegionCountryCategoriesDate
Ulaan BataarMongoliaAsia, Hunting11 Oct 2005

The grassland and semi-desert steppes of Mongolia harbour a unique group of carnivores that include corsac and red foxes (Vulpes corsac, V. vulpes), Pallas’ cats (Otocolobus manul), badgers (Meles meles), and wolves (Canis lupus). In recent years, hunting of these species has increased dramatically and caused large-scale declines in many areas. The increase is due to high demand for animal products in international markets, limited hunting regulations and law enforcement, and a lack of protective measures.

The impacts of hunting remain largely unknown and need to be understood to effectively conserve steppe carnivores. Our main goals are to:

1) Investigate the direct effects of hunting on carnivore abundance. We estimate carnivore abundance using spotlight surveys and distance sampling methods in hunted and non-hunted areas each season. These surveys are important for understanding how carnivore populations respond to hunting pressure and how well the reserves protect each species.

2) Evaluate the indirect effects of hunting on prey communities. Small mammals and other prey are surveyed regularly and compared with carnivore abundance and diet. Understanding how prey populations respond to carnivores helps us determine the importance of carnivores in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

3) Assess the magnitude of hunting. We interview herders and local communities to determine harvest rates, habitats and species most at risk, socio-economic factors driving hunting, and attitudes to wildlife conservation. Our interviews provide important information that will help us develop realistic solutions to over-hunting and poaching.

4) Launch a carnivore monitoring programme. The programme will train herders in wildlife census techniques, monitor carnivore and small mammal population trends, and increase awareness about illegal hunting. The programme also aims to improve law enforcement efforts and advocate for greater protection of wildlife.

For more information on our project, please contact James Murdoch on james.murdoch@zoo.ox.ac.uk or Tserendorj Munkhzul tsmunkhzul@yahoo.com

Project Update: July 2006

Over the past autumn and winter, our efforts involved surveying carnivore and small mammal abundance to measure the direct and indirect effects of hunting.

We also conducted extensive interviews with herders. We interviewed nearly 40 herders over the winter to understand the magnitude of illegal hunting and factors influencing hunting pressure. Our interviews documented hunting rates and methods, wildlife uses, market information, and knowledge of wildlife laws in Mongolia.

The interviews provided tremendous details on the threat of hunting. Much of this information will allow us to develop simple solutions to reduce, regulate, and better manage hunting in the steppes. For example, interviews revealed that traps set for marmots represent a major source of mortality for corsac foxes and Pallas’ cats.

With this knowledge, we can focus anti-poaching efforts on marmot colonies in the reserve. In areas outside the reserve, where marmot hunting is legal, a potential solution is to institute a program to replace deadly traps with safe, inexpensive live traps.

During winter, our project trained students from the Mongolia National and Pedagogical universities in wildlife monitoring techniques. Local herders and game rangers also received training and, together with students, helped collect information for the project.

Final Report

Read about the activities undertaken and findings of this project in the final report below.

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Detailed Final Report498.5 KB

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