Altai mountain sheep population has risen by 1303 in the transboundary zone of Russia and Mongolia
A survey completed in the Mongolian and Russian habitats of Altai mountain sheep in late October, 2021, shows that the numbers of the transboundary population of the world’s largest sheep is 6189 individuals. The number has risen by 1303-1394 individuals since 2019 when the latest survey took place and the number of sheep was 4851.
In 2021 WWF estimated that the Russian-Mongolian transboundary population is 6189 argali, of which 2094 Altai sheep recorded in Russia and 4095 in Mongolia. Since 2019 the numbers have risen. However, Altai argali population in Chikhachev ridge (Altaian, Tuvinian and Mongolian parts) has decreased by more than 200 individuals (163 in 2021, 367 – in 2019).
The monitoring of the transboundary argali population is an official duty of two countries as stated in the Agreement of Russian-Mongolian Joint Commission on environmental protection signed in 2018. Every two years the experts work simultaneously in both countries to ensure there is no double counting of the same animals. They follow the same methodology according to the approved Monitoring Program for Altai argali in transboundary zone of Russia and Mongolia.