Bi Junhuai, deputy dean of the College of Life Sciences and Technology at Inner Mongolia Normal University and author of the book Research on the Mongolian Wild Donkey
The population of Mongolian wild donkeys, or kulan, within China is primarily distributed in the Xinjiang Uygur and Inner Mongolia autonomous regions.
I have conducted extensive surveys in the Kalamaili National Nature Reserve in Xinjiang and estimate that the population of Mongolian wild donkeys in this area ranges between 4,000 and 5,000 individuals.
Ten years ago, the summer population of the donkeys in Inner Mongolia was about 100. In recent years, their numbers have increased, reaching between 200 and 300.
This designation highlights both their scarcity and the significant challenges they face in their habitat, necessitating urgent human attention and protection.
To protect their pastures, herders have built fences, which severely restrict the free movement and survival of the donkeys.
Protecting wildlife is not overly complicated; sometimes, we simply don't realize the impact our actions have on them.