City - Tandureh national park State - KHORASAN RAZAVI Country - Iran
About
I have taken this shot from Transcaspian urial in early morning in Tandureh national park in Winter 2006, I hope like it.One of very very hard subject for photography in wildlife of Iran is Transcaspian urial wild sheeps . after one months try in Tandure national park in NE of Iran . I have succed that taken this shot . I think this shot is first shot in wild of this species in Internet . I wish thst enjoy of it . but about this species.
Transcaspian Urial
Scientific Name Ovis vignei arkal Classification Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia, Order Artiodactyla, Family Bovidae, Subfamily Caprinae Status: Little is known about actual population numbers of wild Transcaspian urials. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Transcaspian urial as Vulnerable to Extinction but about population of this species in iran . I can say just 1500-2000 TUS living in Tandureh national park in Ne of Iran also 1500-2300 living in Heyadary protected area near to neyshabour town also 800-1500 living in Salouk and sarigul national park in Khorasan shomali province in iran .also , there are a population of this species also in Golestan national park in N of iran . Range : Iran, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Habitat mountainous regions Diet : Grasses and other plants Size Height: 34 - 39 inches at the shoulder Weight: 79-180 pounds. Females are smaller than males
Reproduction: Gestation Period: 150-180 days. Young per Birth: Single or ol twin lambs being born in mid-April to early May inTandureh . Rut: Rams show no sign of sexual interest or rut until their third autumn when they are two and a half years of age. Sexual Maturity: At 4-5 years. Life Span: 10-11 years.
Special Features
Most species of wild sheep are highly gregarious and therefore live in groups. Females and their offspring usually remain in groups separate from the male groups, except during mating season. Like most wild sheep, urials have scent glands that are important in communication. These scents are undetectable to the human sense of smell. Feeding activity is confined to the early morning and evening in the summer months, often commencing well before dawn. During the day they rest, usually under an overhanging bush or rock where they are well concealed. Their sight, hearing ans sense of smell are all acutely developed. They are excessively wary, depending upon early detection of approaching danger and flight for their survival.
Thanks for the interesting explanation on Biology of the Ovis vignei arkal a lot exhausting. I really hope that the species can even be saved with the participation than a scientific plan. Congratulation for beautiful the capture
Very nice shot. Great exposure and detail. Wonderful DOF with some awesome light hills as the backdrop. Great about. Really makes you understand why this shot is so important to you!
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{K:150877} 6/7/2007
