Successful field capture techniques for free-ranging argali sheep (Ovis ammon) in Mongolia

Argali sheep (Ovis ammon) are the world's largest wild sheep and are threatened throughout their range in Mongolia. Little is known about the ecology of this highly cursorial species. This project was initiated to develop safe capture techniques in order to learn more about the ecology of argali in the Ikh Nartiin Chuluun Nature Reserve in southeastern Mongolia by using radiotelemetry. To our knowledge no one had ever successfully live-caught a free-ranging argali. We developed three techniques for capturing argali. From 2003 to 2007 we hand captured 65 argali lambs, losing one (our first capture) to maternal neglect because we stayed too long in the area and a second that was euthanized after being accidentally injured by a horse. Between 2000 and 2003 we captured six argali by darting, losing one ewe to an abdominal infection after a misplaced dart. Finally, between 2002 and 2007 we captured 32 argali by drive-netting. We lost one ewe to over-exertion after a long drive. The remaining 31 animals captured by drive-netting did not appear to suffer any immediate effects (still alive in 30 days). This report will discuss the strengths and weaknesses for each of these capture techniques. Zoo Biol 27:137-144, 2008. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.