Natural Heritage · Natural site
Ikh Nart Nature Reserve
Rocky outcrops and ravines in the desert steppe of Dornogovi, a stronghold of the rare argali wild sheep.
- Location
- Dalanjargalan and Airag soums, Dornogovi aimag
- Type
- Natural site
- Key Fact
- Reserve since 1996
About the Site
Ikh Nart was made a nature reserve in 1996 and covers about 66,000 hectares in Dalanjargalan and Airag soums. Its landscape is rocky outcrops, clefts and ravines set in dry grassland and semi-desert steppe, with springs and ponds in the Ikh Nart valley.
It is one of the places where the rare argali wild sheep lives, alongside Siberian ibex, goitered and Mongolian gazelles and Asiatic wild ass. Wolves, lynx and Pallas's cat are among its 33 recorded mammal species, and 125 bird species, including Himalayan and cinereous vultures, make it an Important Bird Area.
What to See
- Argali and ibex among the rock outcrops
- Vultures, eagles and owls
- Springs and ponds in the Ikh Nart valley
Visiting
- About 300 km southeast of Ulaanbaatar; the nearest railway is the Trans-Mongolian line through Dalanjargalan.
- There are old abandoned mines in the reserve: keep to known tracks and go with a local guide.
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