In 2002 Anna was eco-volunteer in a przewalski horse re-introduction project in Hustai Nuruu, Mongolia.
Hustai National Park lies in the foothills of the southern Khenti Mountain Range about 100km south west of Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. It takes its name from birch trees growing in surrounding mountain forests. In Mongolian khustai means "with birch" and nuruu means "mountains".
The Takh is the last surviving ancestor of the modern domestic horse. Also known as Przewalski's Horse, the species once roamed the steppe of Central Asia and Europe, but since 1968 has been extinct in the wild. Hustai National Park's Takhi re-introduction project is part of a world-wide initiative to return the highly endangered species to its Mongolian homeland.
During my stay the volunteers were dropped separately somewhere in the park in the morning and would then try and find a harem of takhi. With the aid of binoculars to spot them in the distance, I followed them for the day and recorded their behaviour. It was autumn, and the sky was full of noises, deer calling out for a mating partner, wolves howling, kites whistling. The horses are amazing animals to watch; sleeping, grazing, fighting, playing.
On days of we were often invited to stay with friendly local people in their gers, drinking airag (fermented horse milk), playing knuckle bones with children and singing songs.
For more information on this reserve and the eco volunteer project, check
http://www.owc.org.mn/macne/hustai/reint.htmhttp://www.owc.org.mn/macne/hustai/reint.htm
