Kazakhstan Argali Sheep
Kazakhstan Argali Sheep Conservation Initiative
As a part of SCI Foundation’s International Conservation Strategy for Wild Sheep and Goats, the agreement with Kazakhstan is of monumental importance. SCIF and Wild Sheep Foundation have ongoing conservation efforts in North America, Europe, and Asia. This long-term approach to wild sheep and goat conservation provides a model for future cooperative agreements. Engagement of relevant government agency representatives and local stakeholders along with hunters helped ensure that a science-based approach to argali management can be applied rather than an emotion or politically-based approach. As Wild Sheep Foundation President & CEO Gray N. Thornton once stated, “We are proud to work hand-in-hand with SCIF as conservation partners and teammates to conserve these iconic species not only in North America but around the globe.”
Species: Tian Shen Argali
Project partner: Republic of Kazakhstan, Wild Sheep Foundation
SCIF Investment: $5,000 plus over $300,000 has been contributed towards conservation through the sale of hunting permits
SCIF Involvement: 2017-2018
Study Outcomes
This project promoted long-term conservation of Tien Shen argali through the formation of community-based sustainable use concessions funded by the Kazakhstan Conservation Management Fee (KCMF). The project established wild sheep conservation management strategies based on scientific knowledge from Kazakhstan and other comparable jurisdictions. Beneficial results realized included:
- Determination of argali seasonal habitat use and population movement patterns.
- Formation of a Kazakhstan coalition of mutual supporters (citizens, local communities, private landholders, and Kazakhstan government agencies) for community-based conservation management of argali sheep.
