The Ministry of Environment and Green Development has suggested an offer to name 2013 as the year of protecting the Mazaalai.  The Mazaalai, or Gobi bear, faces very high risk of extinction in the near future. According to a study there are only 22 Mazaalai left in Mongolia. The Ministry of Environment and Green Development is to hold a discussion on the endangered Mazaalai protection issues today at 4.00 pm.

The Mazaalai does not inhabit anywhere else in the world except for Mongolia. Only 8 females and 14 male Mazaalai are registered in Mongolia. The Ministry of Environment and Green Development unveiled some protective measures establishing a nature reserve to restore their safe habitat and establishing reproduction in a preparative condition.

The measures are also designed to involve scientists and experts on the endangered Mazaalai protection and reproduction and set up a fund to save the Gobi bear.

Other suggestions were also unveiled to establish a National zoo for the Mazaalai, to name Mazaalai as the National bear and open a мазаалай.mn (Mazaalai.mn) web site in order to attract public audiences.