I had a short contract a couple years ago in Mongolia to trap wolves and put on radio-collars. Seems the wolves over there kill quite a few of their endangered Przewalski's Horses that they've transplanted back into the wild, and they wanted to know more about that. Interesting country.


I was in Mongolia in the spring, but it was exceedingly dry country with very sparse vegetation.



Przewalski's horse, the only wild horse in the world, has been transplanted into Hustai National Park. Notice the radio-collar on one horse.



Quite a few of the horses don't make it, as wolf predation is heavy.



In addition to horses, part of the wolves diet appears to be red deer (elk). No surprise there!



We put this wolf down, as it had just attacked a tourist in the park. It was indeed rabid.



These are the separate rooms in the "motel" I stayed at while working in Hustai National Park. Note the dust storm moving in.


Hope you enjoyed the pictures...
Jack

My birding friend went there years back 30+ years ago and there probably was only 5 tents or Yurts set up to use.
Shore birds was his quarry

Despite the dryness, it was pretty fantastic birding while I was there. The eagles and the vultures in particular. I got over 31 lifers in my short time in Ulan Baatar and Hustai National Park.

Amazing pictures. Mongolia is fascinating from a natural and historical perspective.

Very interesting post and pictures .You note that the wolves of the area you where doing you study where eating Red Deer Anti Hunters and Anti Trappers living on the North American continent should take note that predator kill in order to survive And no matter where they live wolves do not lie down with the lambs ,wild horses ,Red Deer, Elk or anything that the wolves can kill and eat . I am not anti predator They are all magnificent animals Wolves, coyotes, bears, big cats, birds of prey all are all part of nature But the concept that they cute, little ,harmless critters and should be protected from any kind of control is just a myth that is used by people misleading others to steal money from them. It looks like they had quite an extensive arrangement set up to house all of those that where part of the study

Jack due the wolves there have any odd anatomical features? I know those Tibetan foxes sure have an odd cranial structure.

Also did you get to see any Eagle hunters?

west side -
While I was over there, only two of the yurts (gers) were set up for our project. The rest were rooms rented out by visitors to the Park. Most of the people there were Europeans there for the birding.

OK thanks for the additional info

Jack what would you say is the average size of those wolves? Average pack size? Lastly, winter conditions on average and is there any lesser game like jackrabbits/hares so on that supplement the larger kills?
Thanks

Osky

Cool pics Jack. That is some stark county! Amazing the wolves can run down horse or elk in that open terrain.

Mike - On the "odd anatomical features" I would have to say not. At least none that I was aware of. They had both red foxes and corsac foxes. The corsacs were interesting in that they were so small (5 lbs) and yes, somewhat strange skull. I found 2 fresh-dead corsac foxes, but I didn't necropsy. They most probably died from rabies, and I tried to avoid playing in rabies.

No, I didn't run into any eagle hunters, although those videos sure are cool.



I'd only be guessing Osky. Average weight I would surmise is around 75 lbs. Of the packs I watched at their natal dens, I would guess 5-7 is the average pack size. Winter conditions where I was (about 50 km west of Ulan Baatar) are pretty severe. Temps commonly at 0 to -10 F, with constant winds. Not much snow, as it's so very dry. Alternate prey is relatively common. There are a couple different antelope. In summer, marmots are very common. There are a variety of other smaller prey that probably supplement the diet, but probably not that wolves could survive on (gerbils, voles, mice, jerboas, hedgehogs, etc).

Thanks Jack. I wondered that they weren’t close to our grey wolf size considering the size of prey.

Osky

The corsac fox. Head shape is unique -- no real sloping forehead. Kinda "roman-nosed" and tiny body size.

Is there an in between that those wolves will not tolerate like our wolves versus coyotes?
Pretty pale Fox.

Osky

Thanks Jack appreciate the pictures, ALWAYS interesting.....did you instruct in wolf trapping?

I don't know Osky. I've often thought about that in relation to Eurasian lynx and snow leopards?

I call those foxes Flatheads.

I've never seen on in person but would love to observe one as such, from an artist's eye. Ive seen photos of the locals wearing coats and hats made of these fox.

I was going to ask you, Jack, if you've seen those while you were there.

Thank you for the share of your travels . The locals can ride from birth. They give the toddlers a pony ( Mongolian horses are all just hardy mid size ponies) , and they grow up riding , as much if not more than walking.

Here are a few photos I borrowed of them. Cant get over those flatheads

RdFx -

I did the wolf trapping certification classes in Idaho for almost a decade, and I did them for a few years in Montana. I took a few friends out and taught them a little about wolf trapping, but it seems like I was always out trapping and never made time for instruction. Now, I guess that I'm a tad bit "over the hill" and I don't get around too well any more.

Jack. It surprises me to see those skeletons almost completely intact. Especially that horse. Judging by the color of the bones it has been there a while. Old wolf kills I have seen around here..the bones are generally scattered quite a bit by the time they get that bleached out. Any ideas why that appears to be the case ?



Sharon: Great pix ! Those almost appear to be hybrids ... Half coyote half grey fox. Cool critter. That top photo almost has a lynx look in his eyes

Hey Jack, How long were you there and how many wolves did you radio collar? Did you get to learn the results or did they do anything with the knowledge?