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Altai Argali (Ovis ammon ammon) inhabiting the high Altai mountain region of western and south-western Mongolia is one of two sub-species of Argali-wild sheep (Ovis ammon).
It is one of the high priority species for WWF Mongolia because of its rare and endangered status, together with being a species targeted by trophy hunters.
WWF Mongolia aims to undertake integrated conservation measures, addressing illegal trade and its significance for trophy hunting dating back to 1967. Ever since 1967 its population has been declining rapidly according to scientific findings: 50,000 Argali in 1975, but only 13 to 15,000 in 2001 - a 72% decrease.
The main factors behind the Argalis’ decline in population are:
The conservation approach for the Argali population is limited to habitat protection efforts requiring substantial financial and human resource investment.
Therefore, WWF Mongolia’s position is to simultaneously institute Argali sustainable use and management practices based on community stewardship. This will guarantee socio-economic and environmental justice and long-term species conservation.
It is one of the high priority species for WWF Mongolia because of its rare and endangered status, together with being a species targeted by trophy hunters.
WWF Mongolia aims to undertake integrated conservation measures, addressing illegal trade and its significance for trophy hunting dating back to 1967. Ever since 1967 its population has been declining rapidly according to scientific findings: 50,000 Argali in 1975, but only 13 to 15,000 in 2001 - a 72% decrease.
The main factors behind the Argalis’ decline in population are:
- Unsustainable and over harvesting practice in the absence of management plans for game species of strategic importance;
- socio-economic implications for local communities resulted in unfair benefit sharing and violation of social justice, rights and entitlements. This was due to the current practice of centralized decision making and licensing of hunting;
- allocation of a tiny portion of revenue to the local economy; poaching for extra cash;
- habitat loss; and
- competition with livestock.
The conservation approach for the Argali population is limited to habitat protection efforts requiring substantial financial and human resource investment.
Therefore, WWF Mongolia’s position is to simultaneously institute Argali sustainable use and management practices based on community stewardship. This will guarantee socio-economic and environmental justice and long-term species conservation.