Herders and Wolves in Post-Soviet Society: An Ethnographic Study in Mongolia’s Ikh Nart Nature Reserve

This article links ecological, social, and cultural data to analyze relationships between wolves and herders in a pastoral setting, the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Dornogobi Aimag, Mongolia, an area representative of the broader Gobi-Steppe ecosystem in northern Asia. This article is specifically interested in understanding the contemporary lifestyles of herders in this area, their relationships with wolves, and the perceived and actual risks posed by wolves to both livestock and humans. Data show that herders differed in their views of and actions toward wolves based mainly on the size of herds they managed. But, their cultural stories continue to reflect traditional values and images of wolves and herders. This research argues for an appreciation of cultural contexts in conservation planning, especially in transitional societies.     

Fibrous osteodystrophy in a dromedary camel

A 6-y-old female dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius L.) was presented for assessment of firm, bilateral swellings rostral and ventral to the eyes. Serum biochemistry revealed hyperglycemia (28.5 mmol/L), hypocalcemia (1.27 mmol/L), hyperphosphatemia (3.39 mmol/L), hypoproteinemia (total protein 50 g/L), and hypoalbuminemia (20 g/L). Based on the poor prognosis associated with the presumptive diagnosis of fibrous osteodystrophy, the camel was euthanized. Gross postmortem findings revealed expanded fibrous tissue replacing the maxilla and mandible, and bilaterally prominent parathyroid glands. Histology of the maxilla revealed proliferative loose fibrous tissue with widely scattered, regularly spaced, small spicules of mineralized bone. The parathyroid glands were prominent bilaterally; the internal and external parathyroid glands were composed of plump cells with abundant pale basophilic cytoplasm and open nuclei. The pathologic findings were consistent with the antemortem diagnosis of fibrous osteodystrophy. The camel’s diet, which was not specifically balanced for a camel, included grass hay, sweet feed, and alfalfa pellets. The camel’s caregivers reported feeding her treats of cookies. A feed analysis was not available. The biochemistry abnormalities and clinical and postmortem findings, along with a diet that was not balanced for a camel, are consistent with a diagnosis of nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism.