From rescue to release

Posted on 28 April 2025

A recent success story occurred on March 21, 2025, when N. Namsrai, a volunteer ranger, reported an orphaned bird found in the Turgen Mountain Special Protected Area in western Mongolia to the wildlife rescue team. Photos and videos of the bird were sent to the team and ornithologists for identification and assessment. The bird, identified as a black-legged kittiwake, showed no signs of illness or injury. Experts confirmed it was a young bird, orphaned and weakened by exhaustion during its long migratory journey. As a migratory species, the black-legged kittiwake does not nest in Mongolia during summer.

In Mongolia, a national standard for the rescue, rehabilitation, and care of orphaned, exhausted, and injured wildlife was adopted in 2022. This milestone was made possible through the initiative and dedication of WWF-Mongolia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate change and other partners. Wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and care is a comprehensive process. It begins with the identification and reporting of an orphaned or injured wild animal that is unable to survive on its own. The process then includes safely capturing, transporting, and caring for the animal in a shelter. After receiving appropriate treatment and care, the animal is rehabilitated and eventually released back into the wild once fully recovered. Since the adoption of this national standard, the process of rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife has become faster, more effective, and more efficient, according to wildlife researchers and specialists.
A recent success story occurred on March 21, 2025, when N. Namsrai, a volunteer ranger, reported an orphaned bird found in the Turgen Mountain Special Protected Area in western Mongolia to the wildlife rescue team. Photos and videos of the bird were sent to the team and ornithologists for identification and assessment. The bird, identified as a black-legged kittiwake, showed no signs of illness or injury. Experts confirmed it was a young bird, orphaned and weakened by exhaustion during its long migratory journey. As a migratory species, the black-legged kittiwake does not nest in Mongolia during summer.
Following the guidelines outlined in the national standards, the wildlife rescue team provided advice on temporary shelter, feeding, and care. The bird was looked after accordingly and, once fully recovered, was successfully released back into the wild. This case illustrates how structured wildlife care protocols can make a real difference in the survival and well-being of individual animals, contributing to broader conservation efforts across Mongolia.

black-legged kittiwake

From rescue to release

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