Khustai Nuruu National Park, a unique natural treasure, is located 100 km southeast of Ulaanbaatar. This park was created in 1992 with a noble mission: to reintroduce the takhi, also known as Przewalski's horse, into the wild. These magnificent creatures had disappeared from Mongolia in the 1960s. The choice of the mountainous Khustai steppe, a region known for its exceptional biodiversity, is no coincidence: it is a strategic effort to restore natural ecosystems and protect local wildlife. Today, the park proudly hosts more than 400 takhi. (2025)
History
The Mongolian government declared Khustai Nuruu a national park and specially protected area in 1993, one year after the launch of the takhi reintroduction project. This project included a comprehensive breeding and release program to restore the Przewalski horse population in Mongolia. The park stretches across the Khentii Mountains and includes the western edge of the Mongolian steppe, at the borders of Altanbulag, Argalant, and Bayankhangai soums in Töv Province.
The park covers an area of 506 km² and is home to very diverse flora and fauna:
- 459 species of vascular plants
- 85 species of lichens, 90 species of moss, and 33 species of mushrooms
In terms of fauna, there are 44 species of mammals, including Altai wapiti, Mongolian gazelle, roe deer, wild boar, argali, ibex, Mongolian marmot, gray wolf, Eurasian lynx, Pallas’s cat, red fox, corsac fox, and Eurasian badger.
The bird population is also remarkable, with 217 species of birds, including the golden eagle, bearded vulture, great bustard, whooper swan, black stork, Daurian partridge, and little owl.
The park’s aquatic ecosystem includes 16 species of fish and 2 species of amphibians.
As for insects, 385 species have been recorded, including 21 species of ants, 55 species of butterflies, 10 species of bush crickets, and 29 species of grasshoppers. A new species of soil insect was even discovered here and given the scientific name Epidamaeus khustaiensis.
International Recognition
The park’s exceptional biodiversity and conservation efforts have been internationally recognized. In 2002, UNESCO, through its Man and the Biosphere program, awarded it a prestigious certification, making Khustai a member of the global network of biosphere reserves. In 2007, the park also became a member of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), further strengthening its global status and emphasizing its crucial role in nature protection.
This international recognition is a testament to the park’s commitment to preserving a unique natural heritage at the heart of Mongolia.
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