Nature of Inner Asia
Bibliographic description:
, , , , , Altai Argali (Ovis ammon ammon Linnaeus, 1758) in Russian Altai: Range and Population // Nature of Inner Asia. - 2026. №1(34). . - С. 50-72.
Title:
Altai Argali (Ovis ammon ammon Linnaeus, 1758) in Russian Altai: Range and Population
Financing:
Научное исследование выполнено в рамках государственного задания национального парка «Сайлюгемский» за 2022–2026 гг., президентского фонда «Природа»: ЭКО-25- 2-001377 «В поисках призрака гор: исследование снежного барса на Южно-Чуйском хребте, Республика Алтай» и ЭКО-26-2-00-1808 «Сохраним аргали в Юго-Восточном Алтае».
Codes:
Annotation:
For the first time, the article presents a comprehensive analysis of new data from four year-round state environmental monitoring (2022–2025) in Saylyugemsky National Park. The data was obtained using a wide network of video cameras (camera traps) installed in Argut and Saylyugem clusters and adjacent territories of the Southeastern and Central Altai. We reliably established and described the facts of registration, range and population of argali. A total of 1 434 individuals have been registered: 1 425 at the Saylyugem Ridge, 3 at the South Chuya Ridge, and 6 outside the park boundaries at the Kurai Ridge. The largest group is concentrated in the headwaters and middle reaches of the Bayan-Chagan River, Peak of Journalists, the Saylyugem Ridge — 763 individuals. The second group inhabit the headwaters and middle reaches of the Sarzhemata River, Shen-Ozy tract, the Saylyugem Ridge — 610 individuals. The third group is located in the middle reaches of the Chagan-Burgazy River, Mount Chernaya, Koldo-Oyuk tract — 50 individuals. The fourth isolated group has been found in the Kamtytugem and Tobozhek tracts, the Kurai Ridge — 6 individuals. The fifth isolated group of 3 individuals inhabit the South Chuysky Ridge, Mount Taltura, and the sixth isolated group of 2 individuals — the Tarkhata River basin, Kalanegyr tract, and the Saylyugem Ridge. Ecological and biological characteristics of the argali habitat include a preference for high-mountain flattened Central Asian steppes, dwarf- birch tundra, and scree slopes.
Keywords:
Russian Altai, Saylyugemsky National Park, camera traps, Argut and Saylyugem clusters, Altai argali, habitat, population.
List of references:
Article.pdf