by April Reisenfeld, of Carleton College

Mongash camp has officially become our home away from home. After our initial camp set-up, it took a few days to acclimate to a Mongolian lifestyle, namely the necessity of going with the flow. Due to both the unscheduled manner of daily life as well as the untouched nature within the Darhad, we have had the opportunity to experience many incredible firsts, whether planned or not.

View down the Mongash River not far from camp.

Included among these firsts was our time spent meeting the creator of the national park where we are so lucky to be located, Tumurusuk. Amidst cracking jokes and making us feel extremely welcome to his home, Tumurusuk gave a talk explaining the park’s short but meaningful history. I was extremely inspired hearing about the decades he has spent working towards, and successfully gaining, the protection of this beautiful land. His dedication to the environment and tangible evidence to show his hard work left me extremely hopeful for the future of conservation.

After his talk, I was itching to begin helping the park to further their goals and research.

Cal helping set a game camera on a larch tree in the Horidol-Saridag.

To begin our conservation efforts here in the Darhad, we first set out to place a grid of camera traps throughout the valley in order to survey mammal populations within the protected areas. Our student cohort, tasked with placing 25 cameras, also enlisted the help of the Horidol-Saridag park rangers to place another 25 cameras. Before the dedicated rangers couldbegin placement of the cameras, a training session took place in order to educate them (and me) about the ins and outs of trail cameras. We (the students) assisted in training a group of eight rangers to manage camera settings, GPS waypoints, and the purpose of traversing 100 square kilometers to hide little boxes in trees. After a long day of learning, including many tea and cookie breaks, we all felt a deeper connection to the people of the Darhad who we are helping conduct research with.

Finn Townsley with two park rangers during our camera trap training. 

Ranger at the Camera Workshop

Instructor Chris Smith smelling an elk wallow on one of our camera trap setting expeditions.

Once fully establishing our relationship with the people and land itself, we got down to business and began expeditions to place cameras. After intense bush-whacking, getting (temporarily) lost, and hiking with constant swarms of flies, we began to understand the ruggedness of Mongolia and those who live here.

Mikayla with a typical swarm of flies around her head.

I am already grateful for a number of alterations in the way I experience my natural surroundings. My definition of “trail” has now been redefined from that made by man to that made by wildlife. I have also realized: the Mongols we’ve met who live here understand their surrounding nature far better than any outsider ever could due simply to the way they live in harmony with it.

Mountain view from our camera trap setting escapades.

This notion was further reinforced when we had the opportunity to take part in one of Mongolia’s largest national holidays, Naadam. Naadam is a time for Mongolians to show national pride by showing off (much to our enjoyment as observers). It was another first to watch five year-olds compete in horse racing on the same day as witnessing men in skimpy underpants wrestle each other. As odd as that may sound, these are just a few incredible traditions that have persisted throughout Mongolia’s history and I have never before been so engrossed in a nation’s culture and traditions. We have only been here a short while, but I am already excited to learn more about Mongolia’s environment and culture. I hope I can someday build a similar relationship with my environment where it provides me with everything I need at the same time as I return my respect and appreciation for its existence.

Mongolian Wrestling.

Students at Naadam festival; Mongolian locals in their traditional Dels.