As one of the largest nature reserves in China, established in April 1982,[4] it stretches from the Ulungur River in the north, across the heart of Dzungarian Basin, and reaches to the northern extension of Tianshan Mountains in the south, covering an area of more than 14,000 km2 (5,400 sq mi).

Argali sheep (Ovis ammon) and Wild Bactrian camel (Camelus ferus) are also reported but very rare.

Przewalski's horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) has been reintroduced to Kalamaili by Xinjiang Forestry Department since 2001.

Kalamaili Nature Reserve, Xinjiang Wild Horse Breeding Center, Beijing Forestry University, the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and Princeton University have been monitoring this population for many years and conducting a series of extensive researches on the population dynamics, behaviors, physiology, genetics, and conservation.

They stay in their winter tent and fence the livestock in a pen surrounded by fecal brick walls.