Newsletter of the IUCN/SSC Caprinae Specialist Group

October 2005 these trends is particularly important as were seen in both of these ranges. In this issue the number of harvest permits for wild During the 2003 survey, areas which had sheep has increased significantly during previously produced either no or few Wild sheep Management in this period; and a large number of observations in 1993 showed increases - Sonora, Mexico ………..……….1 have been taken from the wild and placed like Noche Buena, El Tullido, Loma Arabian ………………..…… 2 within enclosures. This data is essential Bonita, Coloraditos, La Vibora, and La Conservation News for the Wildlife Department of Mexico to Pinta. The wild sheep in Sierra San Tadjik …..……….…... 4 properly manage their wild sheep Francisco and Sierra Seri have both also Abstracts populations. shown increases in number. .…...... ……5 Average group size has a significant Obituary …………………….. 5 Methods effect upon sightability rates. The average The methodology of helicopter surveys group size remained similar between the has been described in Lee and Lopez- surveys at 3.4 for 1992/93 and 3.2 for A 10-Year View of Wild Sheep Saavedra (1993 and 1994). The surveys 2003. Management in Sonora, conducted in 2003 were flown in the same An important consideration during this Mexico fashion, and with many of the same period is the possible over harvest of rams observers, as those in 1992/93. The 1992, through the sport harvest program. The 1993, and 2003 surveys were conducted evidence of over harvest would appear Introduction during November. During the surveys, the first in a reduction in the percentage of Helicopter surveys are widely used to helicopter is flown at approximately 50 Class 3 and 4 rams (those favoured by estimate wild sheep population trends. To mph (80 km/h) and the observers view hunters) and second in a reduction in the determine population density and approx. 1/8 mile (ca. 200 m) per side for a ram to ewe ratios. The percentage of Class distribution of wild sheep in Sonora, total coverage of around 12.5 square 3 and 4 rams to total rams was 50% in Mexico, standardized helicopter surveys miles/ hour. Considering the time spent 1992/93 and 52% in 2003. The ram to ewe were flown beginning in 1992. Surveys are manoeuvring to classify animals, the ratio in 1992/93 was 40.9 versus 37.2 in standardized by flying at the same time of actual area covered is approximately 10 2003. The ratio of Class 3 and 4 rams to year, same time of day, same speed, same square miles (about 25 km2)/ survey hour. ewes was 20.3 in 1992/93 versus 19.4 in elevation, and with the same observers. The Wildlife Department of Mexico 2003. The consistency of these data shows The results from these surveys were used divided the various mountain ranges in the accuracy of the standardized surveys, to initiate a sport harvest program to take Sonora into 11 regions. These divisions as well as the stability of the populations. advantage of the available wildlife were based upon proximity of suitable It is also indicative of the appropriateness resource and to produce revenue to fund a habitat, similarity of habitat, and of the harvest level through this period. wild sheep conservation program, containing no barriers to wild sheep including habitat studies, disease research, movement within the region. Tiburon Island and transplants. Another portion of Sonora of To determine current population trends Results and Discussion importance to wild sheep is Tiburon and to ensure that the sport harvest Tables 1 and 2 (see page 7) show the Island. Following the 1975 transplant of program was having no adverse impacts results of the surveys. The wild sheep 20 wild sheep from the adjacent mainland on the wild sheep population in Sonora, population in Sonora appears to be quite to the island, the wild sheep population standardized helicopter surveys were again stable. The wild sheep population in flourished. The first significant helicopter conducted in 2003. In this report, the Sonora appears to be stable. While there survey was conducted in 1993. results of these current surveys are have been significant declines in some In 1993, in 4.7 hours of survey time, a compared to those surveys conducted in areas, these have been offset by total of 293 animals were classified as 10- 1992/1993 to provide a 10-year view of significant increases in others. In 22-40-16-151-43-7-4. In 2003, in 5.1 the population trends of wild sheep in particular, Sierra Viejo and El Alamo saw hours of survey time, a total of 306 Sonora, Mexico. The determination of precipitous population declines. Feral animals were classified as 10-18-24-11-

1 162-55-11-15. Age and sex ratios were ecological conditions comprise a rather 58:100:28 versus 39:100:34. Production of small portion (24%) of the approx. 19,000 young animals on the island is good. The : A Review km2 of available habitat (Insall 1999). However, while Class 3 and 4 males made of its Biology and Arabian tahr are primarily browsers, up 64% of the rams in 1993, this had consuming , fruits and seeds from a declined to 56% in 2003. Conservation variety of trees, shrubs and grasses Since 1998, over 300 animals have been The Arabian tahr is one of three (Munton 1985, Al Majaini 1999). Al removed from the island, about ¾ of these in the genus Hemitragus, which Majaini (1999) identified 37 plant species being females. With the effect of these are disjunctly distributed in mountain in the faeces, of which 33 are removals, and considering the very environments of southwestern (H. dicotyledons and 30 are also eaten by restricted legal harvest (4 males per year) hylocrius), the southern slopes of the goats. Tahr must drink regularly, every 2- – male animals must be being removed Himalayas (H. jemlahicus) and 3 days during the hot summers, and when from the population by other means. It southeastern Arabia (H. jayakari). water sources dry they will move to new may be necessary to better police illegal Hassanin et al (1999) suggested that tahr areas outside their normal ranges. In Wadi activities that appear to be occurring. were probably of Eurasian origin and Al Qiyd, Munton’s main study area, tahr most closely related to ibex, goats and apparently occupy small ranges of Recommendations (). However, more recent approximately 0.3 km2. Munton (1985) Due to the costs of helicopter surveys, molecular genetic research (Ropiquet and believed that unlike other Caprinae, safety concerns, and potential disturbance Hassanin, 2005) surprisingly concludes Arabian tahr are territorial, living in small of the wild sheep, unless there has been that the genus Hemitragus is polyphyletic, groups of 2-3 animals consisting of a male some significant change in climate or and that the Arabian tahr is genetically and female with or without young. They harvest, standardized surveys should be most similar to the North African aoudad appear to mark small areas by scraping conducted no more than every 3 years. (Ammotragus lervia) and more distantly their horns in the soil, and the depressions The number of permits issued is not as related to the other tahr species. Here I may contain hair, faeces and urine. Rice important as the number of animals that refer to tahr as species in the genus (1988) describes the scraping behaviour of are actually harvested. The standardized Hemitragus. the Nilgri tahr as a form of object collection of harvest data is strongly The Arabian tahr, al wa’al in Arabic, aggression directed at a patch of dirt left encouraged; as is the use of plugs to was described in 1894 by Thomas from by a previous . In captivity H. skulls collected in by Atmaram facilitate the enforcement of harvest jayakari males and females maintain quotas. S.G. Jayakar. It is an endangered species strong social hierarchies (Wood 1992). (IUCN 2004) endemic to Oman and the These and other aspects of the social . References system deserve additional research. Lee, R. and E. Lopez-Saavedra. 1993. The first systematic field studies of the From 1983 to 2000, the mean Typical Helicopter survey of desert inspecies were carried out by Paul Munton Group Size (Jarman 1974) in Wadi as from 1976-1978, and his papers (Munton Sonora, Mexico. Desert Bighorn Council Sarin varied monthly from 3.1 to 4.5 Transactions. 37:29-32. 1985, 1988) describe many interesting animals, but these means are not Lee, R. and E. Lopez-Saavedra. 1994. A aspects of the species’ biology. H. statistically different. Although most jayakari has proven difficult to observe. second helicopter survey of desert groups consisted of a male and female, or bighorn sheep in Sonora, Mexico. Munton made 27 sightings of a total of 37 a pair and one young, larger groups (4-11 Desert Bighorn Council Transactions. animals, of which 21 were solitary, and individuals) are also seen, but not more rangers only observe tahr on about 30% of 38:12-13. frequently at certain times of the year. their patrols. Insall (1999) provides Groups of females and young were Acknowledgements additional information on their ecology uncommon, single males were seen and conservation, much of it derived from Thanks to all of the observers who regularly, but male groups were extremely participated in the survey: Armando his conversations with local people rare, the largest with 3 individuals. Sex Aparico, Crispin Ballesteros, Israel Barba, knowledgeable about tahr biology. ratios are balanced in groups of all sizes. Recently, Robinson et al (2004) analyzed Enrique Grajeda, Rebeca Kobelkowsky, This suggests that Arabian tahr do not Eugenio Larios, Martin Franco, Franciso the size and composition of tahr groups form female-dominated breeding groups Navarro, Roberto Noriega, Juan Manuel based on 1,631 records of ranger or bachelor herds typical of the observations in the Wadi as Sarin Segundo, Ignacio Rivera, Felipe Himalayan and Nilgri and other Rodriguez, Francisco Villa, and Ismael protected area. polygynous caprids (Robinson et al, Wadarrama. H. jayakari is the smallest of the 3 2004). species; males and females have ca. half Captive Arabian tahr breen mainly from Raymond Lee the mass of their congeners (Table 1). from November to December, and Foundation for North American Wild They prefer the upper elevations (900- gestation lasts about 140 days. Births peak 1800 m) of northern-facing steep slopes Sheep in April but kids are dropped throughout 720 Allen Avenue and cliffs, where tree and shrub vegetation the rest of the year. Year-round birthing is Cody, Wyoming, 82414, USA is more diverse, and domestic and feral also indicated by the field observations. goats are less common. These optimal [email protected] When conditions are good, females can

2 produce two young (Wood 1992; Insall and the United Arab Emirates. However, areas signals potentially new sources of 1999), which might help the species’ it is clear that more reliable estimates are disturbance and habitat fragmentation, and ability to recover from periods of urgently needed. Achieving this will test plans for mineral extraction in the population decline. Apparently Arabian the ingenuity of field biologists. southern part of the range may result in tahr do not form large seasonal rutting Efforts to conserve the Arabian tahr significant habitat loss. herds; rather reproduction may occur were initiated in 1973 by David Insall, Conservation initiatives in the next opportunistically in small, dispersed and in 1975 active protection was granted decade may prove critical to the survival family units. Differences in breeding and over a wide area of the eastern Hajar of al wa’al al arabi. A Royal Decree social systems among the tahr species are mountains of Oman. However, this region granting the protected areas official status likely to be related to the contrasting is yet to be given official status by a Royal is urgently needed, as is an increase in spatial and temporal patterns of plant Decree. Men from villages near tahr ranger staff, training and patrol activity. productivity in their respective ecosystems habitat were employed as rangers under These actions will discourage grazing, (Table 1; see page 8). the Office of the Advisor for Conservation poaching and development activities, The number of wild Arabian tahr is not of the Environment, Diwan of the Royal allowing field biologists time to gather known with reasonable accuracy. Munton Court, and they have monitored portions population data and to devise a sound plan (1985) indirectly estimated a tahr density of the protected area since 1975, to protect the region’s only endemic large of 9.6 individuals per km2 in ungrazed (by especially in Wadi as Sarin. In 1977 . livestock) areas of optimal habitat, and rangers began recording their tahr 2.0/km2 in grazed secondary observations (adult or young, sex, References environments. He derived these figures on number, locality) on Arabic proformas. Al Majaini, H.M. 1999. Nutritional the assumption that recently used scrapes, This practice continues and today there ecology of the Arabian Tahr or clusters of scrapes (= a focus), represent are nearly 5000 patrol records. Hemitragus jayakari Thomas 1984 in the activity of a male or a male-female In 1980, a small captive herd was Wadi Sareen Reserve area. MSc. pair. Thus, the density of single scrapes established at the Omani Mammal Thesis, Sultan Qaboos University, and foci equal the density of adult pairs. Breeding Centre with the intention of re- Muscat. Oman. 97pp. He calculated the observed number of introducing tahr into the wild. Breeding Hassanin, A., Pasquet, E., and Vigne, J. young/female to be 0.46 and assumed each has been successful at the Centre, and the 1999. Molecular systematics of the pair rears 0.6 young, adjusting for kids that herd has provided biologists with valuable subfamily Caprinae (Artiodactyla, go unnoticed. Using these estimates, he information (see Wood 1992). Concerns ) as determined from concluded that 1293 tahr were living on 7 over inbreeding are being addressed by cytochrome b sequences. J. Mammal. sites in northern Oman and the world incorporating new stock into the herd as Evolution 5:217-236. population might consist of <2000 they become available. Insall, D. 1999. A review of the ecology animals. Since its inception, the management and conservation status of the Arabian Eleven years later, Munton revisited his philosophy of the protected areas has been Tahr. In M. Fisher, S. Ghazanfar and A. study area and found new scrapes in to use local people and their knowledge. Spalton (eds.). The Natural History of addition to many old ones still in use. The value of the traditional hamiyah in Oman. A Festschrift for Michael Records indicated that from August 1982 range conservation is but one example. Gallagher. Pp 129-146. Backhuys to March 1987, rangers saw 2 to 3 animals Hamiyaat are areas governed by tribal Publishers, Leiden. 206 pp. per patrol that sighted tahr. Based on this laws that forbid grazing by domestic IUCN, 2004. 2004 IUCN Red List of perceived increase in animals and the fact animals but do allow hand-cutting of Threatened Species. Online that hunting had been declared illegal in fodder. Tahr are attracted to these small http://www.redlist.org/ 1976, Munton (1988) estimated that the reserves by their richer plant life, a fact Jarman, P. 1974. The social organization population was increasing by 6% per that hunters used to ambush them. Munton of antelope in relation to their ecology. annum and would therefore double every (1985) and Insall (1999) have Behaviour 48:215-267. 10-12 years. He predicted the Wadi as recommended that the remaining Munton, P. 1985. The ecology of the Sarin population would have 1600 animals hamiyaat be protected under modern legal Arabian Tahr (Hemitragus jayakari by the year 2000. More recently a report code. The hamiyaat comprise Thomas, 1894) and a strategy for the from the February 2000 Workshop of approximately 185 km2, about 1% of the conservation of the species. J. Oman Population and Habitat Viability nominal tahr habitat and 4% of the Studies 8:11-48. Assessment (PHVA) for the Arabian optimal area. Munton, P. 1988. Differences in response Leopard and Tahr predicted that the Human migrations to urban areas have of populations of Arabian Tahr and Arabian tahr population should now increased in Oman during the past two Arabian to protection from exceed 6000 individuals decades, leaving goats that were once hunting in northern Oman. In A. Dixon (www.breedingcentresharjah.com)! The tended to become feral and traditional and D. Jones (eds.). Conservation and basis for this surprising estimate is not grazing practices without practioneers. Biology of Desert Antelopes. Pp 182- given. Consequently feral animals now forage in 192. Christopher Helm, London. 239 From this brief history one can conclude areas that were once the domain of the pp. that there is still uncertainty about the tahr. The recent appearance of roads and Pare, P., Barrette, C. and Prescott, J. 1996. number of Arabian tahr surviving in Oman domestic buildings within the protected Seasonal reproduction of captive

3 Himalayan Tahrs (Hemitragus numbers of the subspecies and create factors and total nutrition of animals is jemlahicus) in relation to latitude. J. of a sufficient gene reserve for the measured at least once a year by blood Mammalogy 77:826-832. subspecies. analysis along with performance of Rice, C. 1988. Agonistic and sexual metabolism tests, to monitor health status behavior of , (Hemitragus By selective reproduction determined of animals. hylocrius). Ethology 78:89-112. through DNA analyses, we plan to ensure Robinson, M.D., Ar Ra’isi, H. and the possible introduction of outbred young Genetics Spalton, A. 2004. Group size and in their countries of origin or to conditions The Slovak Agriculture University and composition of the Arabian Tahr agreed within the scope of co-operation. the Research Institute of Animal (Hemitragus jayakari, Thomas 1894). J. Production, both at Nitra, have been Oman Studies. Rearing technology involved in the molecular-genetic analyses Ropiquet, A. and Hassanin, A. 2005. All animals are reared in a natural forest of all markhor that are, or will be, allocated Molecular evidence for the polyphyly ecosystem of the Lesser Carpathians range to the reproductive herd. We have also of the genus Hemitragus (Malé Karpaty) in south-western Slovakia. performed genetic comparison tests to (Mammalia:Bovidae). Mol. Phylogen. Currently, we have 12 animals (5 adult assess kinship and monitor genetics of and Evolution, 36:154-168. males, 4 breeding females and 3 young), animals to be added to herds. The aim is Wood, R. 1992. The propagation and with 6 kids born in our facility during the the elimination of inbreeding, confirmation maintenance of the Arabian Tahr, last 2 years. Animals are housed in a large of parentage, genetic identity, etc. Hemitragus jayakari at the Oman enclosure, a secondary enclosure (to Mammal Breeding Centre, Bait al house males or for another herd) and Veterinary care Barakah. Internatl. Zoo Yearbook quarantine facilities. We perform regular veterinary controls 31:255-260. to control or eliminate microorganisms, Legislation – legal rearing endoparasites and ectoparasites. The Dr. Michael Robinson Protection of exotic animals and plants disinfection programme is based on Department of Biology is regulated in national legal regulations preventive disinfection of the feeding Sultan Qaboos University that implement EU regulationsas well as stalls, animal shelters, resting places, trails PO Box 36, Al Khoud the CITES, Bern and Bonn Conventions. and other parts of the breeding herd. PC 123, Oman ARESA closely co-operates with state Effectiveness of disinfection is based on [email protected] authorities for nature and country the principle of periodic alternation of protection, scientific authorities such as effective agents, which have mainly Conservation News CITES, and NGOs for animal protection. I bactericidal, sporocidal, virusinactivating was a member of the Advisory board of and fungicidal effects. Dung, which can Captive Rearing of the Ministry of the Environment of the be a potential seedbed of contamination, is falconeri heptneri Slovak republic for CITES and took part removed regularly. This veterinary Our captive breeding program for Tadjik in the development of technology program keeps endoparasites as well as markhor (Capra falconeri heptneri) in of rearing of markhorCapra falconeri other undesired pathogens to the semi-open conditions of forest biotope in heptneri. All animals are immutably minimum. the Lesser Carpathians, Slovakia, aims to marked by a microchip, by determining produce a stable breeding herd of DNA profile and by an ear tag. Conclusions genetically non-inbred young.. The Preservation of Markhor requires Association for Rescue of Endangered Rearing conditions international co-operation, which will help Species of Animals – ARESA, in co- The total area of the Markhor facility is to reintroduce coherent herds into open operation with research facilities in 11.3 ha divided into 2 different sized nature and, primarily to sufficient gene Slovakia and with various international sections. There are also 2-4 ha available reserve in case of extinction of free living conservation organisations, would like to as a quarantine facility. The area enclosed populations. Our role is to lend a helping contribute to global protection of markhor, is predominantly forested with oak and hand to preserve such marvellous animals eventually re-introducing it to its countries black pine, along with European as the Tadjik markhor. of origin hornbeam and European beech. The ARES markhor breeding program Jaro Pokoradi includes the following stages: Animal nutrition Association for Rescue of Endangered 1. Creation of a breeding herds to In co-operation with several experts on Species of Animals - ARESA minimize inbreeding the nutrition of wild animals, we created 906 35 Plavecký Peter 252, Slovak 2. Formation of a gene reserve by optimum feeding diets, which, however, Republic rearing sires from genetically distant are only supplemental because animals [email protected] families predominantly rely on eating the bushes, tel.: + 421 34 6902212 3. Introduce our captive bred markhor to tree shoots and grass in the enclosures. fax: + 421 34 6902213 controlled biotopes (reservation with We also collect and analyze information rigid protection mechanism, zoos), or on the nutritional quality of particular other protection facilities, to increase plant species. Quality of alimentary

4 Abstracts includes three species, N. caudatus (long- Habitat Selection by East Population structure and habitat tailed ), N. goral (), Caucasian Tur (Capra components of a non-hunted and N. baileyi (). Nemorhaedus species is distributed throughout northern cylindricornis) population in the East Pakistan across Northeastern Asia Gobi, Mongolia. including Korea (Mead, 1989). The South Gavashelishvili, A. Frisina, M. R., R. Valdez, G. Ulziima. Korean government has categorized the Georgian Center for the Conservation of goral as an endangered species and has Wildlife (GCCW), Tbilisi, Georgia Abstract: Argali sheep ground surveys also designated the species as a Natural Abstract: Habitat selection by East and plant community studies were Monument (No. 273). Recently, the wild conducted on a 163.8 sq. km. portion of a populations have severely declined due to Caucasian tur (Capra cylindricornis), a 607.4 sq. km. study area in the eastern poaching and habitat fragmentation to an species of global conservation concern, Gobi during 1993 and 1998. The steppe estimated census of less than 780 was examined in relation to terrain, plant community consisted of 27.1, 25.1, individuals. To assist conservation efforts climate and degree of human disturbance and 13.7 percent grasses/sedges, shrubs, by identifying genetic trends in declining using a Geographical Information System and forbs, respectively, including 20 and fragmented populations, and logistic regression. The study area species of forbs, 7 of grasses, and 4 of microsatellite markers have been was in the part of the Greater Caucasus of shrubs. A total of 162 argali (15 ewes, 8 extensively used to investigate genetic Georgia, where the species protection was lambs, 99 rams, and 40 unclassified ewes diversity and population structure. not enforced. Two models of tur habitat and lambs) were observed in 1993, and Species-specific microsatellites are requirements were obtained: one model at 171 (70 ewes, 28 lambs, 33 rams, and 40 considered as more powerful genetic a scale of 20 x 20 m plots, and the other unclassified ewes and lambs) in 1998. markers to generate an accurate genetic one at a scale of different habitat Argali estimates were 0.99 per sq. km. in composition of a species itself. In this fragments made up of 20 x 20 m plots 1993 and 1.04 per sq. km. in 1998, study, we isolated 15 polymorphic identified by the first model at its optimal indicating a stable trend. The high ram microsatellite loci from a Korean goral cut-off value. The second model refined numbers in larger size classes (>50%) and genomic library and genotyped 20 captive the first one. average age at natural death of 9 years and free-ranging Korean goral. The first model suggested that the (range 6-13) indicate that the rams survive The data presented describes the probability of a 20 x 20 m plot being part of tur habitat was positively correlated to old age. A ratio of 40 lambs:100 ewes development and characterization of in 1998 indicate an increasing population. species-specific microsatellite markers to with slope, distances to roads and This argali population is probably viable study genetic variability among Korean livestock summer camps, and negatively correlated with human population density due to favorable forage conditions, goral populations. Of the 24 loci curtailed illegal hunting, unfragmented identified, 15 proved to be polymorphic in and annual rainfall. The probability had a habitats, and stable numbers. the Korean sampled for this study. . bell-shaped correlation with elevation, reaching its maximum at 3008.4 m. The The mean number of alleles per locus was J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. (2005) 4.6. The average observed heterozygosity second model suggested that a fragment 101(3):353-359. was 0.44 and the average expected of a land made up of 20 x 20 plots with optimal characteristics for tur occurrence heterozygosity was 0.61. Six loci out of fifteens showed significant deviation from was more likely to contain tur if the area Isolation and characterization Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE). of the fragment was larger and its distance to the nearest area where tur occurred was One explanation for the significant of 15 microsatellite loci in the shorter. Korean goral (Nemorhaedus deviation from HWE is the sampling of individuals from different populations The results show that the occurrence of caudatus). is affected by climate, indicating population substructure. These novel microsatellites should benefit future terrain, human disturbance and habitat 1 1 Jung-Hwa An , Mi-Sook Min , Julie studies of the endangered species of other fragmentation, and can be predicted 2 2 regardless of seasonality in the species Sommer , Edward Louis JR , Rick Asian gorals and their relatives for the 2 * Brenneman , Hang Lee study of genetic diversity and potential movements. These models can be applied 1 Conservation Genome Resource Bank conservation management. to the management of the species and its for Korean Wildlife, and College of habitat in the areas of the Caucasus that Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National * To whom correspondence should be lie at > 1000 m asl and have an annual University, Seoul 151-742 South Korea addressed. Tel: 82-2-880-1274; Fax: 82-2- rainfall > 600 mm, and where the species 2 protection is not enforced. Grewcock Center for Conservation 888-2754. E-mail: [email protected] and Research, Omaha’s Henry Doorly th Zoo, 3701 South 10 St., Omaha, NE Molecular Ecology Notes (2005) 5, 421- Biological Conservation 120 (2004) 391- 398 68107, USA 423. Abstract: The genus Nemorhaedus of Rupicaprini under the subfamily Caprinae

5 Obituary to observe large mountain animals recent publications, etc., on wild or Alexander Kirillovich Fedosenko everywhere across the vast areas of the feral Caprinae , are welcome from any former USSR, such as the Taymyr professional biologist. A potential author March 12, 1930 – February 8, 2004 Peninsula, Sayany, Altai (Russia), Pamir does not have to be a member of the The news of Alexander Fedosenko’s (Tadjikistan) and Tian Shan (Kazakhstan, Caprinae Specialist Group. Please send death early February was sudden, Kirgizia). Alexander Fedosenko enjoyed submissions to the Editor, either by post dismaying and deeply saddening. Up to observing many different species, but the or by e-mail attachment. his last day, he was working on his papers most important and the most loved for and a final book, when his heart stopped him was the argali, which he looked for this life-long work. constantly during all his fieldwork. CSG Web Site Alexander Fedosenko was born in the Alexander wrote many papers on these wild sheep, and eventually the book http://callisto.si.usherb.ca:8080/caprinae/ Novosibirsk region in Western Siberia on iucnwork.htm March 12, 1930. After finishing of the “Argali in Russia and Adjacent Countries” Moscow Institute of Hunting in 1954, he (2000), in which he published the results began his career in the hunting business in of his argali investigations during more Acknowledgements Siberia (Taymyr Peninsula) and later as than 30 years of work and where it is zoologist in different organizations of possible to find all known data on argali Dr. Rich Harris Kazakhstan. In 1960 Alexander living in the world. Over the next three Fedosenko began research work at the years he published “”(2002) and Editorial Note Kazakh Academy Sciences’ Institute of prepared the book “” (2004), Views expressed in the articles in this Zoology, where he investigated the which was finished two weeks before his newsletter, do not necessarily reflect ecology of small rodents of Tian Shan. As death. In addition, he was also an active those of the Caprinae Specialist Group a result of this work he submitted his member and expert of IUCN/SSC thesis and received his PhD in zoology in Caprinae Specialists Group and took part 1965. in the writing of Action Plan for Caprinae An unexpected shift in his research “Wild Sheep and Goats and their occurred after earning his doctorate, when Relatives” (1997). he was assigned the task to investigate red We lost a very eminent and inspiring . This new theme of investigation was researcher and friend who enjoyed to so different from his former research discovering the secrets of wild nature. subjects, the mouse, that Alexander Alexander Fedosenko will be missed by investigated the ecology of us all, and we shall remember him without special enthusiasm. In the early through the enthusiasm he instilled in us stages, he only did a minimum of work and the many significant papers and books just to satisfy his reports requirements, he’s left behind. while at the same time he continued to His colleagues and friends. research his more interesting mouse “under the table”. Gradually, however, he David Blank began to see more and more interesting phenomena in the lives of red deer. At this Newsletter Subscriptions same time the ethology was flourishing, and Alexander read many papers and Adobe Acrobat versions of the newsletter books on the behavior of large are sent to all CSG members via e-mail. and carnivores. Eventually he forgot All other interested parties can download about rodents at all, and devoted his a free Adobe Acrobat (pdf) version free research to the lives of wild ungulates. He from the CSG website. observed many large animals, all of which http://callisto.si.usherb.ca:8080/caprinae/ were interesting to him: red deer, , iucnwork.htm wild boars, urials, ibexes, , snow A free copy Adobe Acrobat Reader can be leopards, wolves, lynxes, and bears. downloaded from: Alexander wrote many interesting papers http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/ about these species as well as several readstep.html outstanding books, “Maral” (Siberian deer) and “ of Kazakhstan”. In 1982, Alexander Fedosenko moved from Kazakhstan to Russia (Moscow), where he Notice to Contributors began to work in the Central Scientific Laboratory of the Nature Reserves Submissions of articles, including Authority of Russia. There he continued research reports, conservation news,

6 Tables for “A 10-Year View of Wild Sheep Management in Sonora, Mexico” by R. Lee

Table 1. The total numbers of bighorn observed (# obs) and the number observed per survey hour (obs/h) for each mountain range within the 7 regions

1992/93 2003 Region Range # observed # observed (obs/hour) (obs/hour) 1 Pinacate 25 (16.7) 22 (27.5) Blanca 6 (6/7) 2 (2.9) 2 Pinta 6 (3.5) 11 (15.7) San Francisco* 23 (12.8) 42 (46.7) 3 Cubabi 8 (6.2) 1 (1.0) Silla 14 (17.5) 7 (23.3) San Antonio 4 (6.7) 10 (12.5) Coloraditos 0 (0) 1 (5.0) 4 Alamo* 19 (14.6) 0 (0) Viejo 126 (43.4) 17 (8.9) Verruga 15 (21.4) 11 (27.5) Picu 8 (8.0) 9 (9.0) Aguirre 29 (41.4) 16 (17.8) Santa Maria 10 (50.0) 24 (48.0) Julio 15 (37.5) 0 (0) 5 Vibora 0 (0) 10 (14.3) Rajon 1 (3.3) 0 (0) 6 Los Mochos* 24 (36.9 18 (30.0) 7 Tinajas 7 (23.3) 30 (60.0) Tepopa 19 (47.5) 3 (7.5) Seri 66 (44.0) 83 (69.2) Cirios 77 (48.1) 18 (16.4) Tordilla 30 (75.0) 15 (18.8) TOTALS 532 (24.9) 350 (22.4) *Surveyed both in 1992 and 1993 – data presented are the averages of the 2 surveys

Table 2. Age and sex classifications, and number of hours flown in each of the regions in Sonora, Mexico.

1992/93 1992/93 2003 2003 Region Classifications* Hours Classifications Hours 2 2- 5- 4- 1- 12- 4- 2- 0 2.4 0- 0- 2-2- 14- 5-1- 0 1.5 3 2- 3- 4- 0- 13- 5- 1- 1 3.5 1- 2- 3-0- 32-11-0- 4 1.6 4 1- 1- 2- 1- 17- 3- 0- 1 2.9 1- 2- 4-0- 9- 2-0- 1 2.1 7 5-20-21- 3-110-17-25-22 7.2 5- 5- 7-1- 42-13-2- 2 5.8 8 0- 0- 0- 0- 1- 0- 0- 0 0.6 1- 1- 0-0- 5- 3-0- 0 1.1 10 0- 1- 3- 1- 12- 5- 1- 1 0.6 1- 2- 2-0- 11- 2-0- 0 0.6 11 8- 7-10- 6-111-16-23-18 4.2 5- 9-13-4- 83-23-5- 7 4.0 Totals 18-37-44-12-276-50-52-43 21.4 14-21-31-7-196-59-8-14 15.6 * Classifications are listed as Class I rams, Class II rams, Class III rams, Class IV rams, adult ewes, lambs, male yearlings, female yearlings

7 Table for “The Arabian Tahr: A Review of its Biology and Conservation” by M. Robinson

Table 1. Selected characteristics of the three extant species of Hemitragus (references in Robinson et al 2004). Data for the Hymalayan Tahr are from wild native populations and from Pare’ et al 1996.

Arabian tahr Nilgiri tahr (H. jayakeri) (H. hylocrius) (H. jemlahicus)

Habitat steep arid slopes, cliffs wet seasonal montane Meadows and cool (900-1800 m asl) grassland & stunted temperate forest (>2500 m evergreen forest (1200-1600 asl) m asl)

Weight (kg)

Males 38-45 80-100 90

Females 17-20 50 36

Diet Diverse; selective browser grazer Grass & leaves

Birth Season Year-round, peak March- Year-round, peak January- April-July, peak April April February

Mating Season September-November June-August October-January

Gestation (days) 140 178 180

Typical Group Size 3.1- 4.5 11-71 ?

Grouping Behaviour Mixed groups only All-male, female & young, All-male, female & young, mixed groups mixed groups

Solitary males yes yes yes

Mating System unknown polygynous polygynous

8