Abstract: A survey on the awareness of nomads in the peripheral communities about protecting the wild-back Equus przewalskii in the Kalamaili Mountain Ungulate Nature Reserve in winter 2011 was carried out using the face-to-face interview investigation method. The investigation included mainly the basic knowledge, and consciousness and initiative of local residents in the peripheral communities around the nature reserve about participating in the protection of the wild-back E. przewalskii. The results are as follows: (1) There was a significant difference of the knowledge of local residents in the communities in 4 townships about E. przewalskii,but their initiative of protecting E. przewalskii were positive and active; (2) There was a confliction of occupying pastures between the wild-backing E. przewalskii and the livestock, which was related to the distance from the townships to the core area of the nature reserve; (3) The consciousness of local nomads about protecting the wild-back E. przewalskii decreased with the increase of distance from the townships to the core area of the nature reserve; (4) The legal awareness of nomads about protecting wild animals including the wild-back E. przewalskii was universally low. According to the investigation and the particular features of the Kalamaili Mountain Ungulate Nature Reserve, the scientific and reasonable measures should be taken, and the relationship between the community development and the protection of the wild-back E. przewalskii should be gradually balanced. 

Key words: community, nomad, protection awareness, investigation, Equus przewalskii, Kalamaili Mountain Ungulate Nature Reserve