Current Status and Conservation of Mountain Ungulates in Mongolia

In November 2009, we conducted a countrywide survey for wild sheep or argali and Siberian ibex. Field survey teams sampled in total 134 argali distribution units within Mongolia, which are estimated to occupy approximately 46,603 km² of the whole area of 60,237 km² that been previously mapped as populated by argali. They observed 385 groups of argali, totaling 3.373 individuals. Our point estimate of argali is 18,140 with a lower 95 % confidence limit of 9,193 and an upper 95 % confidence limit of 43,135. At the same time the authors observed 162 groups of ibex, totaling 2,541 individuals and our point estimate of ibex is 36,018 with a lower 95 % confidence limit of 13,840 and an upper 95 % confidence limit of 43,873. However, post-survey concerns about sampling in some aimags (provinces) and estimates derived previously allowed adjustments that resulted in the best single estimate for Mongolia being 17,903 ibex. Direct comparisons are difficult because the previous survey report lacked details of the areas visited, field methods, and analysis. Apparent increases or decreases in each aimag may be real, or may caused by differences in methods (HARRIS et al. 2010). The data indicate that legal trophy hunting and poaching do not appear to be limiting argali and ibex populations on a national scale. Mongolia\u27s climate and highly variable weather patterns appear to be the immediate limiting factors regulating argali and ibex populations. It is important that argali and ibex population trends be monitored every 3 to 5 years using the protocols reported here. The trend information reported here is the only information of its type, but should be considered as an initial effort. The more trend surveys that are conducted the less uncertainty there will be concerning the status of argali and Siberian ibex

Seasonal variation in the foraging activity of desert argali (Ovis ammon) in Mongolia

Debate remains whether energy maximizing or time minimizing strategies best explain foraging in ungulates. It has also been hypothesized that the capacity of an animal to dissipate body heat regulates animal activity. We investigated these hypotheses while measuring the daily activity of desert argali (Ovis ammon: Linnaeus,1758) for 12 months and relating the activity pattern to environmental seasonality. We found significant seasonal cycles in argali activity, with the greatest proportion of daytime in winter spent foraging, the greatest proportion of daytime in summer spent bedding. Consistent with an energy maximizing strategy, argali reduced all behaviors during the winter in favor of foraging, compensating for the increased energy demands of winter at a time of low forage quality. Consistent with a time minimization strategy, argali in summer significantly reduced foraging and spent more time bedding in shaded areas to avoid hyperthermia due to high ambient temperatures. Both optimal foraging and heat dissipation can be used to explain the observed foraging pattern. Foraging behavior in argali is best described by the extent to which the animals schedule their activities to meet their physiological demands, the way these demands are affected by environmental variables, and the time that is available to accomplish them.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author