English: Relict Gull
Russian: Реликтовая чайка
Mongolian: Реликт цахлай
German: Reliktmowe
French: Mouette reluque
Japanese:  ゴビズキンカモメ (Gobi-zukin-kamome) 

Status: Very rare species. According to the IUCN Red List categories and criteria, the species evaluated as-Endangered.

Distribution and Range: Breeds on Alakoli Lake in Kazakhstan and Tari Lake in Russia. Winters in Hebei, China. In Mongolia: breeds on Mongolia’s big lakes with reedssuch as Airag, Khyrgas, Khar Us Lake, Dorgon, Taatsyn Tsagaan, Adgiin Tsagaan, Orog, Boon Tsagaan Lakes, in the Great Lake Depression, central region Lakes, such as, Erkhel, Sangiin Dalai, Ogii, Terkhiin Tsagaan, big and small lakes near Ulz, Kherlen River basin, i.e., Galuut, Khokh, Tooroi, Khaichiin Tsagaan, Sumiin Tsagaan, Chukh and Buir Lake, Khalkh Nomrog River basin lakes, i.e., Buir, Orog, Dornodyn Khokh and Munkh Khairkhany Khukh Lakes.

Habitat: Nets in colonies on flat open islands on the fresh water and saline lakes, with reed and tall sledges.

Population and Threats: Clobal population is estimated at around 10,000 birds. There are 300-1000 around Tari Lake, approximately 1,000 around the Alakoli Lake. About 30 were recorded on the Buir, Khukh, Orog, Taatsiin Tsagaan and Bust Lakes and Ulz River. Eggs and chicks are preyed upon by other gulls and during storms waves crash over the island destroying the nest and eggs; chicks perish from hypothermia during heavy and prolonged rains.

Conservation measures: Included as very rare animal in the Mongolian law on Fauna, include in the CITES, Annex I, and CMS, Annex I, the Mongolian Red Book (1987, 1997). Distribution area is included within the Mongol Daguur, Nomrog Strictly Protected Areas.

Further Actions: Assess its distribution, population abundance, restrict breeding habitat for livestock pastures, provide and support undisturbed breeding conditions, improve the conservation management in the NSPAN.