It has been revealed that one of the world”s most endangered animal species, the Mazaalai or Gobi bear, originated from Mongolia. T.Odbayar, researcher from the Genetics Laboratory of the Institute of Biology, at the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, has completed a Mazaalai genetic study at Idaho University in USA.

Researcher T.Odbayar released information stating that the Mazaalai, the unique desert dwelling brown bear, is found in no other place in the world except the Mongolian Gobi Desert, during a press conference at the Ministry of Environment and Green Development of Mongolia on Tuesday April 15th.

It is said that there are 13 sub-species of brown bear in the world. The Mazaalai, or Gobi bear, has so far been believed to be one of them. For instance, in 1980 Russian scientists classified the Mazaalai and defined it as a Tibetan bear.  However the genetics study of the Mazaalai at Idaho University reveals the Mazaalai can only be found in Mongolia.

The genetics study for the Mazaalai will be published in scientific journals to raise public awareness for Mazaalai protection. 

There are eight bear species in the world:

·    Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)
·    Brown bear (Ursus arctos)
·    American black bear (Ursus americanus)
·    Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus)
·    Spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus)
·    Sun bear (Helarctos malayanus)
·    Indian Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus ursinus)
·    Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

The Mazaalai, or Gobi bear, is included as a species of brown bear.