Ovis ammon

Community-led conservation strategies can be instrumental for the successful conservation of migratory species according to two major reports released by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), a global wildlife treaty of the United Nations. The report Community Participation and Livelihoods focuses on 10 key guiding principles for community-led conservation strategies, while the study Potential for Community-Based Wildlife Management in Central Asia presents real-world insights into how community-led initiatives can achieve biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

29 Jan 2025

Government representatives, experts, and civil society organizations gathered to discuss pressing conservation issues for two iconic Central Asian migratory species: the Argali Sheep and the Bukhara Deer.  At the 3rd meeting of the Signatories to the CMS’s Memorandum of Understanding concerning the Conservation and Restoration of the Bukhara Deer (Cervus elaphus bactrianus) (Bukhara Deer MOU) and the First Range State Meeting on the Implementation and Revision of the International Single Species Action Plan for the Conservation of the Argali (Ovis ammon), participants agreed upon a number of new measures aimed at improving the conservation status of the two species.  

02 Dec 2024

Согласно последнему отчету климатической группы Организации Объединенных Наций, изменение климата происходит намного быстрее, чем ученые прогнозировали менее десяти лет назад. Глобальное потепление уже привело к учащению экстремальных погодных явлений, интенсивному таянию ледников и более частым сходам лавин, наводнениям, оползням и селям в горах Центральной Азии.

04 Dec 2022

In 2022, the Wild Sheep Foundation (USA) established the Argali Conservation Achievement Award to recognize efforts of individuals and organizations in Argali Range States. Tajikistan is home to the world’s largest Argali population and the major of Tajikistan’s capital city Dushanbe became the first recipient of the award. His Excellency Rustami Emomali the Mayor of Dushanbe is also the founder of the Association of Hunters of Tajikistan who’s work contributed to the establishment of sustainable hunting mechanisms and conservation of wild sheep habitats in the country.

03 Feb 2022

Range State representatives, scientists and conservation experts met last week at the International Academy for Nature Conservation on the German Isle of Vilm to review the implementation of the CMS Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI), to discuss challenges and strategy for further action.

27 Apr 2018

Vilm, Germany (May 4, 2017)– Experts have for the first time mapped the distribution and movement corridors of migratory mammals in combination with threats from linear infrastructure, such as railways, roads, pipelines, and border fences, across the entire Central Asian region.

04 May 2017

Central Asian ecosystems, home to some of the most spectacular migrations of wild mammals in the world face increasing threats. Thirty experts active in Central Asia convened at the International Academy of Nature Conservation on Vilm Island in Germany to discuss how to advance their common goal of conserving Central Asian mammals and their habitats. The workshop was held on 22 to 26 August 2016 and focused on setting priorities for the implementation of the CMS Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI).

30 Aug 2016

The 7th mining forum "MINEX Central Asia – 2016" was hosted in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana on 19-21 April 2016. For the first time the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), represented by Kazakhstan’s largest nature conservation NGO, the Association for the Conservation of the Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), participated in a major event organized by the mining industry.

15 May 2016

The Mongolian parliament has passed a national law implementing the CMS Guidelines on mitigating the impact of linear infrastructure and related disturbance on mammals in Central Asia just six months after they were adopted at COP11.

20 Aug 2015

Four months prior to the 11th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP11), the Secretariat of the Convention on Migratory Species (UNEP/CMS) presents the logo of this UN wildlife conference, which will take place in Quito, Ecuador, from 4 to 9 November 2015.

29 Jul 2014
Description: 

The Argali (Ovis ammon) is a migratory mountain ungulate native to the highlands, canyons, and rocky outcrops of Asia. Argali occupies a vast range, migrating seasonally in search of food and shelter to survive the region's harsh winters. In its movement Argali frequently crosses national boundaries, which classifies it as a migratory species under the Convention.

Threats

Threats to Argali causing direct mortality include poaching, overexploitation, disease transmission from livestock and predation by domestic dogs. In addition, the species’ migration is increasingly disrupted by the construction of border fences and industrial, urban and infrastructure development, leading to fragmentation and loss of their habitats. Last, but not least, climate change along with grazing competition from livestock leads to the modification of its habitat and forage base.

International cooperation under CMS

The International Single Species Action Plan for the Conservation of the Argali (SSAP) for 2014-2024 was prepared in 2012-2014 with financial support from the European Union, and the assistance of GIZ. After being refined in two different workshops, the SSAP was adopted at the 11th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) in Quito, as part of Resolution 11.24 on the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI).

A revision of the SSAP took place at the Range State meeting on the Implementation and Revision of the Argali SSAP in Almaty, Kazakhstan, 12-13 September 2024, organized by the CMS Secretariat and hosted by the Forestry and Wildlife Committee (FWC) of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan with financial support from the Central Asian Mammals and Climate Adaptation (CAMCA) project funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the Government of Germany.

The participating seven Range States adopted the Overview Report and a new Action Plan for the Conservation of the Argali for 2024-2032, tailoring conservation measures to individual conservation units of Argali. Cross-cutting activities concerning not only Argali, but also other CAMI species will be included in the next CAMI POW for 2026-2032.

 ***

Архар (Ovis ammon) мигрирующее горное копытное животное, обитающее в высокогорьях, каньонах и скалистых массивах Азии. Архары занимают обширные территории и сезонно мигрируют в поисках пищи и убежища, чтобы пережить суровые зимы. Во время миграции архары часто пересекают национальные границы, что позволяет отнести их к мигрирующим видам согласно Конвенции.

Угрозы

Основными угрозами, приводящими к смертности архаров, являются браконьерство, чрезмерная эксплуатация, заболевания, передаваемые домашним скотом, и хищничество со стороны домашних собак. Строительство пограничных заборов, промышленное развитие, урбанизация и инфраструктурные проекты всё чаще мешают миграции архаров, что ведёт к фрагментации и утрате их среды обитания. Кроме того, изменение климата и конкуренция с домашним скотом за пастбища также оказывают влияние на среду обитания и кормовую базу архаров.

Международное сотрудничество в рамках Конвенции по сохранению мигрирующих видов диких животных (КМВ)

Международный план действий по сохранению архара (SSAP) на 2014–2024 годы был разработан при финансовой поддержке Европейского Союза и содействии GIZ. После доработки в рамках двух рабочих семинаров SSAP был принят на 11-й встрече Конференции Сторон (COP11) в Кито, в рамках Резолюции 11.24 по Центральноазиатской инициативе по млекопитающим (ЦАИМ).

Пересмотр SSAP был проведён на Совещании стран ареала архара для обновления Международного плана действий по отдельным видам , которое состоялось в Алматы, Казахстан 12–13 сентября 2024 года. Встреча была организована Секретариатом КМВ в сотрудничестве с Комитетом лесного хозяйства и животного мира Министерства экологии и природных ресурсов Республики Казахстан в рамках проекта «Адаптация млекопитающих к изменению климата в Центральной Азии» (АМИК в ЦА), финансируемого Международной климатической инициативой (IKI) правительства Германии.

На встрече семь стран-ареала приняли Обзорный отчёт и новый План действий по сохранению архара на 2024-2032 годы, ориентированный на мероприятия, имеющие особое значение для конкретных природоохранных единиц архара.

В рамках следующей Программы работы ЦАИМ на 2026–2032 годы будут учтены сквозные мероприятия, касающиеся не только архара, но и других видов ЦАИМ.

Assessment information
CMS InstrumentsCMS, Central Asian Mammals Initiative
IUCN StatusNear threatened
Date of entry in Appendix II2011
Geographic range
Countries Afghanistan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Common names
EnglishArgali Sheep
FrenchMouflon D'Asie
SpanishMuflón argal
GermanRiesenwildschaf
Taxonomy
ClassMammalia
OrderArtiodactyla
FamilyBovidae
Scientific name Ovis ammon

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