DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY OF THE (OVIS VIGNEI ARKAL) IN THE MANGYSTAU REGION

Abstract

The article presents the results of environmental studies conducted in the habitat and abundance of Ustyurt mountain sheep living in the Mangystau region. Ustyurt sheep live in Kazakhstan only on the territory of the Mangystau region, including in mountain depressions, steep slopes of mountain ranges, low mountains and foothills. The Ustyurt mountain sheep or Ustyurt urial in the Mangystau region is widespread on the peaks of Ustyurt, on the Mangyshlak peninsula, as well as on a number of coastal areas of the Caspian Sea, where the mountainous landscape is preserved. Ustyurt mountain sheep living in the territory of the Mangystau region are recorded and monitored annually.

According to the research data of 2022, 3019 individuals of Ustyurt mountain sheep were counted in the mountain ranges, which indicates an increase in the number of artiodactyls by 25.17% compared to 2021. There are 607 Ustyurt mountain sheep in Ustyurt and Mangyshlak, including on the territory of the Ustyurt nature reserve, on the territory of the regional park.