Argali Ecology in Ikh Nartyn Chuluu Nature Reserve:Preliminary Findings

Little is known about the ecology of argali (Ovis ammon), a species listed as threatened in Mongoliaand internationally. We initiated research to better understand the species’ ecology and develop aconservation plan for the species. Here we report on preliminary finding from a radio telemetry study ofargali ecology. We captured and radio collared 22 argali, using drive nets, lamb captures, and dartingfrom 2000-2003. Eight collared animals have died: 2 due to capture techniques, 4 from predation, 1 fromstarvation and exposure, and 1 of unknown (not predation) causes. We collected 633 locations on the 22argali through September 2003, but acquired sufficient data for analyses for only 12 animals thus far.Animals primarily restricted their movements to the northern portion of Ikh Nartyn Chuluu Nature Reserve,and have not exhibited seasonal movement patterns. Mean home ranges were 47.46 ±4.21 km2 (Range =29.96 – 75.00 km2) using the 100% minimum convex polygon method, with smaller areas of predictedoccurrence (62.03 ±4.84 km2 for 95% kernel, 23.76 ±3.96 km2 for 75% kernel and 9.36 ±1.61 km2 for50% kernel home ranges). Predation by domestic dogs, previously unrecorded was an important earlyfinding of our work