Home – Home – Jornals – Contemporary Problems of Ecology 2025 number 6

The population structure of snow sheep groups in the Kodar Ridge is characterized based on trail camera and visual observation data. The population range is isolated and limited to this mountain range. The studies were conducted after the establishment of a national park within a part of the Kodar snow sheep range (in 2018). The main observations were made in the central, most important part of the range in the Sredny Sakukan and Apsat river basins both in the national park and in the adjacent territory. On average, the ratio of adult females/yearlings/last year’s animals/young males/mature males in July-September on summer pastures used by females is 10/9/4/3/1. A significant number of males stay in summer in areas outside the pastures of females and young animals. The fertility of the Kodar sheep during the study period is higher than that noted in the 1990s. For one adult female of 2019-2024 in the first 2-3 months after lambing, there were 0.87 yearlings and 0.44 last year’s lambs. High fertility also confirms the optimal structure of the studied groups of Kodar snow sheep. Information was obtained on the timing and characteristics of the seasonal change of habitats, with the exception of the winter period. On summer pastures, the population is characterized by low herd size: 3.0 for groups of females, 1.3 for males and the same for separated last year’s lambs. Over 6 years of observations after the creation of the national park, the herd size indicator did not change significantly, and changes were observed in the sex and age structure associated with an increase in the proportion of last year’s lambs and young males.