Population Dynamics of Ovis ammon gmelini in Khan-Gormaz Protected Area in Iran

In this paper, demography of the Ovis ammon gmelini colony inside the Khan-Gormaz protected area has been analyzed. Starting from 2003, O. ammon gmelini counts have been carried out, usually twice in year by the wardens. The population increased regularly from 65 animals in 2003 to 125 animals in 2008, with mean annual growth rate of 29%. The sex ratio showed a constant tendency to be balanced throughout the study period and ranged from 0.7 to 1.8. Mean yearly natality was 0.2, but there were great fluctuations, with a minimum value of 0.29 and maximum 0.64. Natality was inversely correlated with the total number of animals counted in the previous year. The relationships between, Mean temperature, Mean moisture, Density and Growth rate were nonlinear. © 2010 Friends Science Publishers