%0 Journal Article %A DAI Zhigang %A GONG Minghao %A SONG Yanling %A ZENG Zhigao %A ZHANG Qiong %T A preliminary survey of population size and habitats of Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon polii )in Taxkorgan Nature Reserve,Xinjiang,China %D 2007 %R %J ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA %P 317-324 %V 27 %N 4 %X Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon polii)are threatened by overgrazing,habitat destruction,poaching,and disease.We conducted a survey of population size and habitat availability of Marco Polo sheep during summer 2005 in Taxkorgan Nature Reserve,Xinjiang,China. We identified the distribution of sheep within the reserve by interviewing local people and reserve staff We divided the study area into four search regions (I,II,III,IV)according to landscape features, and searched for sheep on foot,on horseback,and by vehicle in each region. Once sheep were located,group size,age, and sex of the animals were noted and habitat variables within 200 m of the group recorded. The pooled habitat data was used to model the habitat requirements of Marco Polo sheep,and on this basis,we estimated the amount of suitable habitat
within the reserve. We estimated the population density of sheep in each region of the reserve,and estimated there were between 1 500 and 1 700 sheeps inhabiting the area.Marco Polo sheep were not evenly distributed throughout Taxkorgan reserve, but were concentrated on the Pamir Plateau. We estimated the total area of Marco Polo sheep distribution within the reserve to be 4 012 km2 ,with 641 km2 of this area comprising suitable habitat;however only 75% of this area (482 km2 ) was available to the sheep. We provide conservation suggestions for Marco Polo sheep based on these results,the most important of which is that the entire Pisiling area should be incorporated into the reserve because the highest density of the Marco Polo sheep was found there. %U http://www.mammal.cn/EN/abstract/article_2147.shtml