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Abstract |
Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon polii), listed as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List, were surveyed using vehicles during three summers and three consecutive winters to determine the status and population structure of the subspecies in a hunted population in southeastern Pamirs, Tajikistan. A total of 8649, 8392, and 7663 sheep were observed in each winter survey with densities of 5.42,
4.91, and 4.49 argalis/km2, respectively. The differences in numbers observed in different years were probably due principally to differing dates of surveys among years. The high ratios of lamb for every 100 ewe (53, 38, and 49 during the winter surveys, and 60, 45, and 58 during the summer
surveys) and high percentages (45%–50%) of mature females during winter indicate that offspring recruitment is sufficient to maintain a stable population. The significant
increase in the abundance of Marco Polo sheep in the Tajikistan Pamirs compared with that of previous population surveys may probably be attributed to low numbers of domestic livestock during the winter, low human population density, unfenced and widespread wild sheep habitats,
and rigorous patrolling to limit poaching. The small number (45) of hunting permits has a minimal impact on the male sheep sector. Tajikistan now supports more argali than any other country |
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Abstract |
East Pamir is a transitive zone on border Tibetan, East Tien Shan, Western Tien Shan, Himalaya and Afghani fauna and is characterized by low diversity of mammals. Ungulates of east part are presented: Ivis dŒlii Š ¥…dr… sibirica s…k††n. Predators are presented ¥…nis lŠdŠs laniger (Tibetan subspecies); Vulpes vulpes ferganensis, IŠstela alpina alpina, IŠstela †r•inea ferganae, IŠst†l… nivalis d…llid…, I…rt†s foina, F†lis 1¢‹o iz…b†lli‹…, U‹ci… Š‹ci… Š‹cia (Central Asian and South Asian spp.); Ursus …r¤tŒs …ff. s¢riacus, I†l†s •†l†s, LŠtr… lutr… seistanica (South West Asian species). East Bukhara (Turkestan, Zeravshan, Hissar, Peter the Great, Darvaza, etc., and also the Western Pamir) is characterized by presence of representatives of the Indo-Afghani fauna (Capra falconeri, Ovis vignei, Cervus affinis, Mellivora indica (?), Vulpes canus, Otonycteris hemprichi, Nesokia indica, Rattus turkestanicus), Southwest Asia fauna (Felis pardus tulliana, Felis tigris septentrionalis, Canis aureus aureus, Lutra lutra seistanica, Hyaena hyaena), as well as species of widely distrebuted within the Southern and Southwest Asia (Felis ornata, Felis chaus, Vormela peregusna, Maries foina, Mustela nivalis, Ursus arctos syriacus, Hystrix hirsutirostris), or Central Asian species (Felis lynx isabelina, Mustela alpina, Mustela erminea, Otocolobus manul, Vulpes vulpes karagan Š „d.). Endemics of East Bukhara are Microtus carruthersi, Microtus bucharensis, Sorex bucharensis. |
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