Mongolia has tightened penalties for violations of environmental legislation and poaching of elk, an endangered species of animal.

According to the environmental unit of the police, “This step will be a serious lever in the fight against poachers”.

According to recent changes to the Law on Animals and the Criminal Code of Mongolia, illegal hunting of elk, listed in the Red Book of Mongolia as a rare animal, will be subject to a fine of up to MNT 40 million(more than USD 11,700) or imprisonment for a term from 2 to 8 years.