Where the desert meets the tundra lies a depression surrounded by mountains where the wildlife of Mongolia and Siberia exhibit exceptional biodiversity. The Uvs Nuur Basin is one of last refuges of the elusive and endangered Snow Leopard and is also home to the majestic Caspian Red Deer as well as thriving bouquets of Altai Snowcock. The area's inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 has already been justified by the success story of the last eight years. International resources working in harmony with local human inhabitant conservation practices have provided a diverse research environment and refuge for many species of birds now extinct in other regions. Of the twelve protected areas comprising the site in both Mongolia and Russia, our team will record a visit to the areas of Uvs Lake, Turgen, and Tes River.

Photo by Bernard Landgraf

Photo by Bill Ebbesen

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Images of this area from the web