The Mongolianpopulation is estimated to consist of fewer than1,000 individuals, although few populationassessments have been conducted. This species isprimarily threatened by high levels of exploitation,but habitat degradation, disease and hybridizationalso constitute threats. As the population size is sosmall, Rangifer tarandus qualifi es as Vulnerableunder Criterion D1. The assessment remainsunchanged following application of regional criteria as there is no signifi cant immigrationfrom adjacent countries.

A government assessmentin 1986 estimated the population to consist of 130,000individuals across 115,000 km2 (Dulamtseren et al.,1989), declining to 8,000-10,000 individuals in 15provinces in 2004, representing a 92% decline over thepast 18 years (Zahler et al., 2004). Generation lengthhas been estimated as six years based on data from Nowak (1991). This species qualifi esas Critically Endangered under Criterion A2acd, as there has been an observed decline ofgreater then 80% over the past three generations, primarily due to exploitation, but alsoresulting from habitat loss. As the causes of this decline are expected to continue over thenext three generations, Cervus elaphus also qualifi es as Critically Endangered under CriterionA3d. There is a potential rescue effect from populations in Russia, but further information on132population status and hunting pressure on this population is required, therefore the assessmentremains unchanged following application of regional criteria.

This species has a largepopulation size and a wide distribution. No decline inpopulation size has been detected.

Only a small populationof A. a. cameloides exists in Mongolia. In 2004,73 were sighted in Nömrög Strictly Protected Area(K. Olson, pers. comm.). A. a. pfi zenmayeri have agreater abundance in Mongolia and in 1989, a surveyestimated there to be 10,000 individuals in Hentii andHangai mountain ranges, which represented 70% ofthe total population. However, populations are knownto be declining due to exploitation, habitat loss, and pollution. Between 1926 and 1985, 1.5million tons of elk antlers were exported to Russia (Wingard and Zahler, 2006). Generationlength has been estimated as nine years based on data from Nowak (1991). This speciesqualifi es as Endangered under Criterion A2cd as the population is estimated to have declinedby more than 50% over the past three generations due to the impact of threats. As other largeMongolian mammals continue to decline, hunters and traders are increasing hunting pressureon this species (Pratt et al., 2004), and its decline is expected to continue over the nextthree generations, therefore Alces alces also qualifi es as Endangered under Criterion A3d.The assessment remains unchanged following application of regional criteria as there is nosignifi cant immigration from adjacent countries.

During the 1970s the populationsize was estimated at 60,000-80,000 in Mongolia(Dulamtseren, 1977). The Institute of Biology of theMongolian Academy of Sciences assessed the Mongolianpopulation size in 1986 over 53,000 hectares across 63units of six provinces, resulting in an estimate of 44,000individuals (Dulamtseren, 1989). The population size iscontinuing to decrease and in one observed population,densities fell from 1.2 per km2, to 0.2 per km2 between1990 and 2000 (Tsendjav and Bujinkhand, 2000; Tsendjav,2002). Generation length has been estimated as six yearsbased on data from Nowak (1991). As the causes of this decline, primarily exploitation, isexpected to result in a population reduction of at least 50% over the next three generations,Moschus moschiferus qualifi es as Endangered under Criterion A3d. Although there is apotential 'rescue' effect from populations in Russia, illegal hunting remains a dominant threatthere as well, therefore the assessment remains unchanged following application of regionalcriteria. This species should be reassessed as Critically Endangered if conservation efforts toreduce hunting are not applied.

Annual surveys by WWFMongoliaand the Mongolian Academy of Sciencesestimated the total Mongolian population to consistof 2,950 individuals in 1998, rising to 5,240 in 2000(Dulamtseren and Amgalan, 2003). This species existsin two isolated populations in Mongolia, and in 2001, the Sharga population was estimatedto consist of 1,600-3,000 individuals, and the Mankhan population was estimated to contain35 individuals (Mallon and Kingswood, 2001). The total Mongolian population declined toapproximately 1,020 individuals in 2002, 750 individuals in 2003, and 800 individuals in 2004(WWF, 2004; Zahler et al., 2004). The most recent population assessment was conducted in2005, estimating the total Mongolian population to consist of 1,500 individuals (L. Amgalan,pers. comm.). Generation length has been estimated as fi ve years based on data from Nowak(1991). This species qualifi es as Endangered under Criterion A2acde based on observeddeclines of greater then 50% over the past three generations, due to severe weather conditions,habitat degradation, competition for resources, and exploitation (the latter occurring at lowlevels). Although this decline may have been driven partly by changing environmentalconditions and natural population fl uctuations, additional impacts of overgrazing and huntingare known to have contributed to this decline. The assessment remains unchanged followingapplication of regional criteria as there is no signifi cant immigration from adjacent countries.