Current Status of Marco Polo Sheep (Ovis ammon polii) in the Pamir Mountains of Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan

Abstract

The present survey was conducted to determine the abundance and population density of Marco Polo sheep in the Pamir Mountains of Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan. Marco Polo sheep inhabitants in very high mountain regions experience extremely cold winds and arid climatic conditions throughout the year. The Marco Polo sheep is listed as a critically endangered species on the IUCN Red List. Field surveys and interviews were carried out from 2022 to 2023 by using semi-structured questionnaires. 98 respondents were interviewed, and line transect walks in the field were used to observe the Marco Polo Sheep in the study region. As a result, a total of 1304 Marco Polo Sheep individual were recorded in the Pamir regions. The highest number of Marco Polo Sheep observations is related to the Tollaboy region, with 452 individuals (34.6%), and the lowest number of observations is in the Angelic region, 93(7.1%). According to the study area's locality, the population density of the Marco Polo Sheep differs in each season of the year. In conclusion, the highest density was in the Tollaboy region with 125.5± 3.5 per km², and the lowest density was in the Angelic region10.7±1.6 per km² ware observed.