The wild Bactrian camel is found in the Gobi and Gashun Gobi deserts of North West China and Mongolia. While vegetation is sparse, the desert itself varies from rocky mountain massifs, to the flat pavement‐like areas of the extremely arid desert; stony “gobi” desert plains; poplar fringed oases; vast washed‐out plains and high sand dunes. For 45 years, this area of the Gashun Gobi was the nuclear test site area of China. In spite of this, the Wild Bactrian Camel survived and is apparently breeding naturally. In some areas in the absence of fresh water, it has adapted to drinking salt water slush.

The wild Bactrian Camel is facing a population size reduction of 80% within the next three generations. This projection is based on observations made during five expeditions (1993 ‐ Mongolian Gobi and 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 ‐ Chinese Gobi). The population is the target of continued hunting. Suitable habitat in China (the main stronghold for the species) is being lost through illegal mining. The proposed construction of a gas pipeline and the associated industrial development will also have a major impact on the main Chinese subpopulation of Wild Bactrian Camel and its desert eco‐system. The effects of hybridisation with domestic camels both in Mongolia and China and increased human competition and economic pressures within the designated desert habitat of the wild Bactrian camel, have also contributed to its decline. The Mongolian subpopulation is known to have declined by 46% since 1985. However, due to increased hunting and wolf predation it is now expected that 25‐30 animals will be lost annually. Based on these observations, it is estimated that there will be at least an 84% reduction in the population size by the least 20 animals are killed annually) there is no reason to expect the situation for these subpopulations to be any different.