The results of a census of argali in the Altai Republic on the Sailugem Ridge and adjacent areas were recently announced by the Sailugem National Park. In Russia, the count is supported by the Interregional Association "Irbis."The count revealed a population of 2,644 individuals, marking a 164-individual increase from the 2022 census of the argali on the Sailugem Range, which had recorded 2,488 individuals. This figure stands in stark contrast to the 525 argali tallied in 2014, marking a significant increase in the population. Furthermore, the recent census revealed a noteworthy behavioral observation. A male argali, part of the Sailugemsky National Park staff, exhibited an unusual behavior pattern.

The male argali was observed joining the herd of a different ungulate species, the Siberian ibex, and walking alongside them. Regrettably, due to the nature of the behavior, photographic or video documentation was not feasible. Given the absence of interbreeding among these species of ungulates, the observed behavior remains enigmatic. Specialists have confirmed the presence of argali in three primary areas within the Sailugem Range, with the highest population density observed in the Ulandryk River basin. This research in Russia is supported by the Interregional Association "Irbis," while in Mongolia, it is sponsored by the "World Around You" Foundation of Siberian Wellness and NEASPEC.

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The growth of the Altai mountain sheep population can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the effective protection of the lands and the collaborative efforts of conservation organizations, such as the Sailugem National Park and the Border Guard Department of the Altai Republic. In this year’s observations, a record was established with the largest recorded herd of 359 animals, comprising both males and females, since 2013. Adverse weather conditions prompted the animals to descend the slope, leading to their congregation along the river. Additionally, substantial herds of 100 mountain sheep were documented, along with the observation of nine argali being preyed upon by wolves, predominantly adult males. This fall, a notable presence of adult males, aged 10 years and above, was recorded.

Denis Gulyaev, Deputy Director of Sailugem National Park

Participants in Russia include the Sailugem National Park, the Altai Nature Reserve, and volunteer assistants. In Mongolia, the Uvs Nuur Nature Reserve and the Administration of Protected Areas of Mongolian Altai participated. This year’s conditions proved challenging due to the effects of climate change, as evidenced by snowfalls and constant snowstorms that prevented travel and survey of some areas due to high snow accumulation. The specialists thus summarized the results of the work only on the Sailugem Ridge. The precise number of argali in Russia will be determined subsequent to the analysis of data from the Altai Reserve expeditions on the Chikhachev Ridge and the Ubsunur Basin Reserve in the Republic of Tyva. In early December, following the receipt of data from their Mongolian counterparts, scientists will provide an update on the number of transboundary argali groups present at the border between the two countries.

Since 2018, the number and condition of the argali group in the transboundary zone of Russia and Mongolia has been systematically documented within the framework of the collaborative efforts of the mixed Russian-Mongolian commission on environmental protection. Every two years, specialists from both Russia and Mongolia conduct a comprehensive census of the species. In 2022, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation approved the Program for Monitoring the Altai Mountain Sheep in the Transboundary Zone of Russia and Mongolia.