Argali and Siberian ibex populations in the Khuhsyrh Reserve in Mongolian Altai

Abstract

The present status of both populations in a prime habitat for these animals in Mongolia was investigated. The Argali population was approximately 600 individuals. Sex ratio was 1:1.5 males to females in summer; in winter it rose to 1:2. The population had the following structure: 28% rams, 41% ewes and 31% lambs in summer and 38% rams, 45% ewes and 17% lambs in winter. The realized increment amounted to 16 lambs/100 females. Mean density varied from 1.2 animals/km2 in summer to 0.8/km2 in winter. The ibex population was about 1000 animals. Sex ratio varied from 1:2 in summer to 1:2.2 in winter. The population had the following structure: 21% males, 45% females and 34% kids in summer and 21% males, 46% females and 33% kids in winter. The realized increment was 71 fawns/100 females in Feb. Mean density of the ibex population was 1.0/km2 throughout a year. Both species are gregarious, the most important aggregations being herds of dams with kids during summer and mixed herds during winter. Each of the species had different habitat preferences. Argali prefer grassy areas that are not too steep, while ibex prefer rougher, more precipitous slopes.