The Mongolian Government has initiated prompt actions to protect the Mazaalai, or Gobi bear, by establishing a nature reserve to restore a safe habitat, by opening a zoo and setting up a working group to explore ways of increasing the bears’ population over the past years.

As a part of the actions taken, two water springs were refreshed and a pond was built in Shar Khuls and Khushuut at the Great Gobi National Park in order to increase surface water access for the Mazaalai. There are also two groundwater wells that are powered by sun and wind energy in Myangan tooroi and Baruun sharga.

There are now four new surface water sources for the Mazaalai in 2013. Over 20 tons of food for the Mazaalai has been stationed across 28 points with the help of the Undesnii Bakharkhal (National Pride) and “MAMA” NGOs, individuals and local entities in the area. The food was distributed in the time between spring and autumn when the Gobi bears are not hibernating. The critically endangered Gobi bear is only found in the Mongolian Gobi Desert. The estimated population was 15-20 bears in 1960, 20 bears in 1970, 25-30 bears in 1980 and 30 bears in early 1990.

Now there is a very small population of 22 Gobi bears living in the most remote parts of the Gobi Desert, wandering near oases and mountain ranges with water sources where they can survive in the harsh and extreme desert climate. The Mazaalai is listed in the Red Book of Mongolia with a status of very rare. Mongolia prohibited Gobi Bear hunting since 1953 but environmental degradation, climate change and lack of water and food in its habitat have affected the health and reproductive success of the Gobi bear.