Ovis ammon hodgsoni

A Term Paper of
Wildlife Biology on
Ovis ammon hodgsoni Blyth (Nayan/Tibetan Sheep)
Submitted by:
Laxmi Raj Joshi
Exam Roll No.: 106
Programme: Forestry
Batch: (2010-2012)
Submitted to:
Shree Prasad Dhaubdel
Module Coordinator
Institute of Forestry
Office of the Dean
Pokhara, Nepal
Table of Contents
Sheep family: Bovidae .................................................................................................................... 1
General character of caprinae ...................................................................................................... 1
Classification................................................................................................................................... 1
Distribution ..................................................................................................................................... 2
Status ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Physical description ........................................................................................................................ 3
Behaviour ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Habitat ............................................................................................................................................. 4
Habits .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Migration......................................................................................................................................... 5
Reproduction ................................................................................................................................... 6
Major threat to Argeli ..................................................................................................................... 6
a.
Direct threat of the population (factors, intensity) ............................................................... 6
b.
Habitat destruction (quality of changes, quantity of loss) ................................................... 7
c.
Indirect threat (e.g. reduction of breeding success by pesticide contamination) ................. 7
d.
Threat connected especially with migrations ....................................................................... 8
e.
National and international utilization................................................................................... 8
References ....................................................................................................................................... 9
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Sheep family: Bovidae
Sub family: Caprinae
A bovid (family Bovidae) consist of almost 140 species of cloven-hoofed ruminant mammal at
least the males of which bear characteristic unbranching horns covered in a permanent sheath
of keratin. The family is widespread, being native to Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. It
contains
diverse
members
including bison,
African
buffalo, antelopes, gazelles, sheep, goats, muskoxen and domestic cattle.
General character of caprinae

Head is held higher

Horn in both sexes but females have smaller

Horns are spiral in form and have transverse ridges

Tail is very short and never tufted

Muzzle is hairy and grooved
The caprinae includes following important examples found in Nepal:
1. Blue sheep or Bharal (Pseudois nayaur)
2. Nayan Sheep or Argali (Ovis ammon)
3. Himalayan Ibex (Capra siberica)
4. Markhor (Capra falconeri)
5. Himalayan Tahr or Jharal (Hemitragus jemmlahicus)
6. Tibetan Antelope or Chiru (Pantholops hodgsoni)
Classification
Scientific classification
Genus: Ovis
Kingdom: Animalia
Species: Ovis ammon
Phylum: Chordata
Status
Class: Mammalia
CITES: Appendix I
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
IUCN: Endangered
Subfamily: Caprinae
NPWC Act, 2029: Protected
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buffalo, water
Distribution
It is distributed over central and northern Asia, particularly the Tibetan Plateau from northern
Ladakh (Kashmir) east to Bhutan occasionally crossing over the Himalayan in Spiti (Himanchal
Pradesh), Kumaon and Nepal. According to Nath (1982), Markha valley is the home of the great
Tibetan sheep. Historically, it may have occurred in Shey Phoksundo (Schaller, 1977; Sakya,
1978) and in the Barun Valley in the eastern Himalaya (Taylor-Ide, 1985).
Biogeographic realm
Palearctic
Range States
Afghanistan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan,
Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Geographical Location
Central and Southern Asian mountains
Ecological Region
Temperate Forests, Grasslands and Shrublands; Rocky areas and Cold desert
Currently nine subspecies of argali are recognized (Wilson and Reeder, 2005 and Fedosenko and
Blank, 2005):
1. Altai argali (Ovis ammon ammon)
2. Karaganda argali (Ovis ammon collium)
3. Gobi argali (Ovis ammon darwini)
4. Tibetan argali (Ovis ammon hodgsoni)
5. North China argali (Ovis ammon jubata) (=Comosa)
6. Tian Shan argali, (Ovis ammon karelini)
7. Karatau argali (Ovis ammon nigrimontana)
8. Marco Polo argali (Ovis ammon polii)
9. Severtzov argali, (Ovis ammon severtzovi)
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Status
The most recent estimates suggest that, although other subspecies are much more numerous,
there are <7000 Tibetan argali left in the wild (Shackleton, 1997; Schaller, 1998).Within India
there are only 200 argali remaining, mostly in Ladakh and a few in Sikkim (Fox & Johnsingh,
1997). As per the census carried out by Ministry of Nature and Environment, Mangolia in 2001,
there are 13, 000 to 15, 000 Argali of all species.
No estimates of the number of argali in Nepal exist; it is likely to be a small number (Shrestha et
al 2005 in Harris, R.B. & Reading, and R. 2008). Tibetan argali (O. a. hodgsoni) have in the past
been reported to occur in several sites of northern Nepal and Bhutan where they are apparently
absent today (Fox and Manandhar 1994, Schaller 1998 in Singh 2008). The only extant argali
population reported in Nepal occurs in the northeast Mustang region, where a population of 77
individuals has been reported from the Damodarkund area (Chetri and Pokharel 2005 in Singh
2008).
Physical description
The Argali sheep is related to the universally
known domestic sheep and mule-sized sheep. It
is approximately the same length as a domestic
sheep but it is much taller and heavier than its
domesticated relative. The nayan is the largest
of all the living sheep having Shoulder height
90-120 cm, length 120-200cm and weight 65180kg.
The Pamir argali (also called Marco Polo sheep,
for they were first described by that traveler)
Fig. Ovis ammon hodgsoni
may attain more than 6 ft (1.8 m) in length.
The general coloration varies between each animal, from a light yellow to a darker grey-brown.
The face and underparts are lighter. Argeli males have a whitish neck ruff and a dorsal crest.
Males have two large corkscrew horns, some measuring 190 cm (6.2 ft) in length. Males use
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their horns for competing with one another. Females also carry horns, but much smaller.
The females have little or no mane. The white of undersides is less pure and the caudal disc is
indistinct. However, the winter coat in both sexes is paler. In all sheep the tail is very short which
measures about 3 inches with the hair. A short mane drops down the back of the neck of old rams
and buffs on the front and sides.
The life-span of Argeli is 10-13 years. It possesses keen sense of sight and smell.
Behaviour
Argalis live in herds between 2 and 100 animals, segregated by sex, except during breeding
season. Migrating herds, especially males, have been reported. With long legs, herds can travel
quickly from place to place. Argalis tend to live at higher elevations during the summer.
Habitat
Argali inhabit mountains, steppe valleys and rocky outcrops (Reading et al., 1997; Schaller 1998;
Amgalanbaatar and Reading, 2000; Harris 2007); they also occur in open desert habitats at the
south-eastern end of its range (Reading et al., 2003; Tserenbataa et al., 2004; Reading et al.,
2005). They are frequent in semi-desert countries of Tibet. Argali are sensitive to deep snow,
particularly if forage is limited; often migrating from high mountain habitats during winter, but
are present all year round at lower elevations in the Gobi desert (Reading et al., 2005). Most
argali live on alpine grasslands between 3,000-5,500 m, often descending lower in winter
(particularly if snow accumulates to more than a few cm). In some areas, (e.g., Gobi desert of
southern Mongolia, Karaganda area of Kazakhstan), they live in lower elevation, semi-arid areas.
They generally avoid forested areas (except in Kazakhstan, where they are presumed to occupy
forests because of displacement from preferred habitats (Fedosenko and Blank 2005). They
prefer to occupy open areas with a gentle slope; females generally occupy steeper (cliff) terrain
following lambing. Argali feed on grasses, sedges, and some herbs and lichens, and they
regularly drink from open springs and rivers. Where sympatric with blue sheep they are more
likely to occur in grass-dominated communities compared to the sedge dominated communities
occupied by blue sheep (Harris and Reading, 2008).
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Habitat varies according to geographic location, but includes mountains, steppe valleys and
rocky outcrops and open desert.
Habits
Nayan feed on sprouting herbage which is induced by melting snow in spring. They choose forbdominated communities. They feed early in the morning and again in the evening and use some
bare hillsides during rest of the day. The sheep avoids damp snow and selected dry spots on the
stony slopes, kicking out its feet to make a shallow suitable place for lying down. Strike ground
with their forefeet as a warning signal. The head is kept erect while sitting but the neck is out
stretched while sleeping. Big rams sleep by resting their large curling horns on the ground.
Migration
Argali migrate seasonally to different extents. Before and during the rut argali males roam about
in large areas in search of females. During winter argali migrate to avoid areas with high snow
cover while in summer they move to areas with more productive vegetation. Females of some
populations of O. a. polii - and may be other argali as well - move to certain places for lambing.
So far, no targeted research results have been published about the numbers of animals migrating
over international boundaries, portion of the concerned populations involved and distances of
migration.
Tibetan sheep are migratory in habit; they wander from one place to other wherever food, water
and cover is plentiful. During sprouting of herbage in spring, they either frequent the borders of
the snow-line or they enter the ravines. Sometimes they are seen along trickling streams whose
banks are covered over with low bushes and herbage. Nayan remain at the highest levels, above
15,000 ft. during summer and in the winter descend to shelters in the lower valleys. It climbs
shaded hills in order to escape the heat of the day. They avoid damp snow and select some dry
slopes.
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Reproduction
A herd consists of 3-15 individuals. The sexes separate in spring. Small parties of older ram herd
together in summer. Mating takes place in late autumn when all rams, ewes and yearlings rejoin
into one assemblage. The young are born in May/June and ewes seek shelter in more secluded
valleys to the lamb. Young males stay with herds of female till they are about 5 years of age.
The gestation period is 150-160 days; with litter size usually 1-2 lambs.
Major threat to Argeli
Main threats to Argali sheep come from humans and human activity. These include:

Over-hunting and poaching

Competition from introduction of domestic sheep

Disease transmission from domestic sheep

Habitat loss
Argali are considered an endangered or threatened species throughout their entire range, due to
habitat loss from overgrazing of domestic sheep and hunting. They are hunted for both their meat
and their horns, used in traditional Chinese medicine.
a. Direct threat of the population (factors, intensity)
Poaching is the main threat for most argali populations. In the past and for local populations
excessive hunting may have had detrimental effects on argali. This is followed by grazing
competition and displacement by domestic livestock.
The main threat facing argali in Mongolia is poaching for subsistence and increasingly for their
horns, which are being used in traditional Chinese medicine and as mounted trophies (Mallon et
al. 1997, Reading et al. 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, Amgalanbaatar 2002b, Wingard and Zahler
2006). Also important are the impacts from pastoralists who displace argali, whose livestock
feed on the same forage as argali, and whose dogs chase and even kill argali (Mallon et al. 1997,
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Reading et al. 1997, 1998, 2003, 2005, Wingard 2005, Amgalanbaatar et al. 2006). More minor
and localized threats include unsustainable trophy hunting (Amgalanbaatar 2002a, Zahler et al.
2004, Wingard and Zahler 2006). Subsistence poaching by miners general represents a greater
threat than actual mining activities, but this may change as the number of mines continues to
grow rapidly. These threats remain important due to poor or non-existence law enforcement
throughout most of the range of the species in Mongolia. Very little money from trophy hunting
currently supports conservation activities in Mongolia (Amgalanbaatar et al. 2002a, Wingard and
Zahler 2006).
b. Habitat destruction (quality of changes, quantity of loss)
All over the argali range desertification caused by overgrazing is considered the key factor of
habitat destruction.
Habitat loss resulting from rapidly increasing resource extraction (i.e., mining) is a more minor
and localized threat in Mongolia (Reading et al. 1998, 1999, 2001, 2005). In Kyrgyzstan gold
mining in the Kumtor area has devastated sections of argali habitat.
c. Indirect threat (e.g. reduction of breeding success by pesticide
contamination)
In general, argali appear to be extremely intolerant of human disturbance (Fedosenko 1999,
Namgail 2004, Maroney 2006, Namgail et al. 2007, Harris 2007, Schaller and Kang 2008 in
Harris and Reading, 2008). Thus the availability of suitable habitat can be limited due to
disturbance (tourists, herders, herders’ dogs).
Observations in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, however suggest that tolerance to disturbance is
negatively related to poaching pressure. Poaching severely increases disturbance in contrast to
trophy hunting, regulated in terms of season, take-off numbers, hunting locations and hunting
methods. For this reason the animals flee from people and vehicles at long distances and as a
result the presence of any people makes large areas unsuitable as argali habitats and argali are
shifting to areas with suboptimal conditions. Reduced fitness and high energy losses caused by
fleeing from people makes the argali more vulnerable for predators, diseases and weather and by
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this mortality increases and reproduction declines (Michel and Muratov 2010). Where poaching
is controlled argali are more tolerant to livestock, humans and other disturbance.
Argali are reported to have been infected by livestock-introduced diseases such as pasteurellosis,
rinderpest, malignant anthrax (Sapozhnikov 1976, R. P. Reading pers. comm.).
d. Threat connected especially with migrations
Border fences present a serious barrier for migration of many transboundary argali populations.
They cause genetic isolation, split populations into smaller groups more prone to extinction,
prevent migration to optimal grazing sites and cause direct mortality when fleeing argali run into
them. Border fences hindering migration and exchange of argali between range states exist
between countries of the former Soviet Union (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan)
and China, between Mongolia and China, between India and China, and between Mongolia and
Russia.
Fencing that can further isolate populations and directly cause mortality is an important recent
threat to O. a. hodgsoni in India and Tibet Autonomous Region of China (Singh 2008).
e. National and international utilization
Argali are internationally traded as hunting trophies and in less extent as souvenirs (mounted
trophies, single horns, crafts made from horns). Trade for Chinese medicine as well as a part of
the trade of hunting trophies and souvenirs occurs illegally. Trade of live animals for zoos and
wildlife enclosures is of insignificant scale.
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References
1. Lakhey, S.P. Wildlife and Protected Area Management
2. Majupuria, T.C. 1881. Wild is Beautiful, pp. 367-368.
3. Namgail T. and Fox J.L. 2004. Habitat segregation between sympatric
Tibetan argali Ovis ammon hodgsoni and blue sheep Pseudois nayaur in the
Indian Trans-Himalaya. J. Zool., Lond. 262, 57–63.
4. Shrestha, T.K.1981. Wildlife of Nepal, pp. 258-260.
5. CMS, 2010. Proposal for Inclusion of Species on the Appendices of the
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.
Available at: (www.cms.int/bodies/COP/.../appendices
proposals/2_1_ovis_ammon_e.pdf)
6. WWF, 2000. Position of WWF Mongolia Program Office on current situation
of Argali hunting and conservation in Mongolia
Web based References
7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argali
8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bovid
9. http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/argali_wild_sheep/
10.
http://www.carnivoraforum.com/index.cgi?board=current&action=print
&thread=11347
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