Road ecology blog: Trench to discourage vehicles from leaving the road, just south of the settlement of Tsagaan khad (White Rock), north of Gashuun-Sukhait, Gobi, Mongolia.

Poaching of wildlife is a substantial problem in Mongolia. The animal products are for both for domestic and foreign use. Wildlife is not just a food source; traditional  medicinal use, including Chinese medicine, also drives the poaching. A new road means greater access for poachers into the surrounding landscape. As it is, poachers drive roads, and when they spot wildlife they chase them with their cars and motorcycles and then shoot them. For vehicles to leave the road is especially common in Mongolia; there are few roads to begin with and it is considered normal to drive your vehicle just about anywhere in the deserts and grasslands. People seem to drive their vehicles pretty much the same way they ride horses. The trench shown in the image below is meant to discourage drivers from leaving the road "at will". This may then reduce disturbance to wildlife, including poaching. The trench is about 2 m wide and 1 m deep.

Click here for images of mining and roads in the Gobi. Click here for images of the Takhi or Przewalski's horse. Click here for images of cinereous vultures. Click here for images of Siberian ibex. Click here for images of argali. Click here for images of Mongolian gazelles. Click here for wolf images. Click here for other images from Mongolia.

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Trench to discourage vehicles from leaving the road, just south of the settlement of Tsagaan khad (White Rock), north of Gashuun-Sukhait, Gobi, MongoliaTrench to discourage vehicles from leaving the road, just south of the settlement of Tsagaan khad (White Rock), north of Gashuun-Sukhait, Gobi, Mongolia