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).