Khar Yamaat

Surface area: 35,722 ha
Elevation: 1,074-1,361 m

Protection status: Fully protected by Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve.

Site description: The site comprises Kherlen river valley and its adjacent rocky and forested mountains, including Khar Yamaat, Tumentsogt and Turuu Undur. The formation of the site and its range of biological diversity are unique in the eastern Mongolia. There is deciduous grove in the northern slopes of the mountain.

Importance for birds: Globally threatened bird species such as Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides), Falcated Duck (Anas falcate), Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug), Lesser Kestrel (F. naumanni), White-naped Crane (Grus vipio), Hooded Crane (G. monacha), Great Bustard Otis tarda (VU), Asiatic Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus) and Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) occur at the site. Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) and Whooper Swan (Cygnus Cygnus), listed in Red Data Book of Mongolia, nest and breed here. Thousands of waterbirds stop over along the river valley during migration.

Special flora and fauna: Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), Mongolian Gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) and Siberian Marmot (Marmota sibirica), listed in Red Data Book of Mongolia, occur at the site. A large head of Mongolian Gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) graze here in the winters. The Mongolian Academy of Sciences and joint Mongolian-Russian biological expedition has been studying and monitoring the ecology of the area for two decades. The site considered as suitable site for reintroduction of Przewalski's Wild Horse (Equus przewalskii).