Ovis vigne Blyth 1841

191.

Ladakh Urial

Owis vignei

French: Mouflon urial / German: Ladakh-Wildschaf / Spanish: Urial de Ladakh

Other common names: Shapo

Taxonomy. Ouvis vigne: Blyth, 1841,

Astor, Kashmir.

Urial taxonomy is controversial; formerly urial species: Ladakh, Punjab (O. punjabiensis), Bukhara (O. bochariensis), and Afghan (O. cycloceros) recognized here, were usually classified as subspecies of O. orientalis, or all as subspecies of O. vigne:. (The name orientalis is based on a hybrid population in north-central Iran and is not usable.) Monotypic.

Distribution. N India (restricted to the Ladakh region along the Shyok, Nubra, and Indus river valleys and their tributaries) and Pakistan (W bank of the Kunar River from Chitral S to Drosh and areas near the cities of Skardo and Gilgit).

Descriptive notes. Few measurements available. Tail 10-125 cm, shoulder height up to 91-5 cm (males) and 68 cm (females). Adult male horn circumferences range from 23 cm to 26 cm. Horns of males tend to grow upward and then curve backward, but horn shape can vary. Horns of females rarely grow more than 13 cm. Males in the winter coat have a white bib and black neck ruff and usually a two-colored saddle patch, dark in front followed by white. Body pelage in winter is grayish. Diploid chromosome numberis 58.

Habitat. In India, Ladakh Urials occur along river valleys, where they sometimes occupy a narrow band of low hills at elevations of 3000-4250 m, but usually occur in lower habitats. Habitats are characterized by sparse, xerophytic vegetation in alpine scrub communities classified as Arid Mountain Steppe. They use rockier, steep habitats and cliffs as escape terrain and travel corridors. Snow cover is usually light. The higher elevations are occupied by Siberian Ibexes (Capra sibirica) and Greater Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur). Gray Wolves (Canis lupus) and Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia) are the primary predators.

Food and Feeding. The only available data on food habits are from two rumen samples examined in India in May. One stomach contained 50% grasses, the other 60% grasses; the remainder was Ephedra.

Breeding. Mating occurs in November-December and singletons or twins are born in May—earlyJune.

Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but probably diurnal or crepuscular with most activity in the early morning and evening, as with other urials.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no specific information available for this species, but in India the population density in 2002 was 0-46 ind/ km? in an area of 1500 km?*. Most populations number less than 50 individuals, thus herds are small.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I (as O. vigne: vignei). Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List (as O. orientalis vignei). Ladakh Urials are dispersed in small populations of 30-200 individuals, and these small groups are highly vulnerable to extirpation. In India, total population numbers were 1000-1500 in the 1980s and had dropped to an estimated 700 in 2002. Its status in Pakistan is probably even more precarious. Habitat loss, degradation, and competition with domestic livestock are threats. Urial habitats have been encroached by agricultural development and human habitation. Other human intrusions include road construction for civilian and military use. Illegal sport and subsistence hunting by military personnel and civilians is a further threat. The lower, undulating habitats along river valleys occupied by Ladakh Urials are preferred sites for agricultural development and livestock grazing. There is an urgent need to develop a community-based conservation program with sustainable methods of rangeland utilization and stricter enforcement of game laws.

Bibliography. Ellerman & Morrison-Scott (1966), Fox & Johnsingh (1997),Groves & Grubb (2011), Grubb (2005), Hess et al. (1997), Lydekker & Dollman (1924), Mallon (1985, 1991), Namagail et al. (2010), Raghavan & Bhatnagar (2003), Roberts (1985, 1997), Schaller (1977), Valdez (1982, 2008).