The number of reindeer in Mongolia has decreased rapidly since 1990, according to a reindeer foundation in the Asian country.

Mongolia, which is one of the 11 countries that have reindeer, used to have more than 2,200 reindeer before 1990, but now the number has reduced to less than 600, said an official in charge of the foundation.

The rapid decrease was attributed to epidemic diseases among the rare species.

To prevent their further reduction, the Mongolian government is taking measures to treat ill reindeer, improve their living conditions and increase their reproduction rate, said the official.

( People's Daily 08/26/2001)