Bukhara urial
Ovis vignei bochariensis
Bukhara urial is a wild relative of the domesticated sheep. It lives in the south-west regions of Asia and the species is divided into a few subspecies. The subspecies living in Korkeasaari Zoo has best adapted to mountainous environments and it is the most north-easterly of the subspecies. Snow leopards also sneak around the same neighbourhoods.
The coat of the Bukhara urial is not as woolly as that of a farm sheep, but the ram’s twirly horns can reach lengths of up to one metre! The smaller female, or ewe, with smaller horns gives birth to one or two lambs in the spring.
Conservation
The genetic connections amongst sheep species can be bewildering even to experts. DNA studies are constantly producing new information on the kinships between wild sheep species. Eurasian wild sheep include such species as the European mouflon, wild mouflon, argali and urial. The European mouflon used to be considered the original form of domestic sheep. However, the current understanding is that European mouflons descend from feralised domestic sheep and the domestic sheep descends from the Asian argali. Experts are not unanimous on the issue of whether the wild mouflon and the urial are subspecies of the same species or totally different species.
Bukhara urial is threatened by excessive hunting and competition over pasture lands with domestic animals. Cross breeding with domesticated sheep may also hinder the survival of the species.
The species and the individuals living in Korkeasaari Zoo are part of an ex-situ conservation programme by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria EAZA, known as the EEP. The aim of the EEP is to maintain a healthy zoo population of the species, and to make reintroductions to the wild possible in the future if needed.
EAZA Ex-situ Programme
Endangerment
Distribution
Habitat
Diet
Size
Lifespan
8–12 years
Scientific classification
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae