Abundance, distribution and conservation status of Siberian ibex, Marco Polo and Blue sheep in Karakoram-Pamir mountain area

Research reveals that the Karakoram-Pamir mountain region, spanning China and Pakistan, supports viable populations of Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), Marco Polo sheep (Pseudois nayaur), and Blue sheep (Ovis ammon polii) despite harsh environmental conditions. While ibex and Marco Polo sheep populations mirror those in protected areas of neighboring countries like Nepal, India, and China, Blue sheep are notably absent from the Muztagh region of Taxkorgan Nature Reserve in China. These species, along with snow leopards, exhibit transboundary movement across international borders, posing conservation challenges. Key threats include illegal hunting, habitat degradation due to vegetation removal for fodder and firewood, overgrazing by livestock, and border fencing that restricts wildlife movement. The study proposes a science-based conservation strategy to restore wildlife populations and maintain ecological flows, benefiting both species and local communities.

Khan, B., Ablimit, A., Khan, G., Jasra, A. W., Ali, H., Ali, R., Ahmad, E., & Ismail, M. (2016). Abundance, distribution and conservation status of Siberian ibex, Marco Polo and Blue sheep in Karakoram-Pamir mountain area. Journal of King Saud University - Science, 28(3), 216–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2015.02.007