 Siberian ibex inhabit rugged mountains, rocky outcrop, and canyon regions of Central Asia. Few studies of Siberian ibex have been conducted even though they are a common ungulate of the mountainous areas of Central Asia. Researchers believe that up to 80,000 ibex may still inhabit Mongolia, although more research is needed. The Siberian ibex listed as Threatened by The World Conservation Union (IUCN) but is classified as lower risk.
This research began as an outgrowth of the argali sheep research project to better understand how these two mountain ungulates co-exist. Since 2003, researchers have captured and radio collared 24 adult ibex and three kids, but the vast majority of these animals were captured in the last 18 months. In addition to tracking these animals with radio collars, researchers also made behavioral observations, collected fecal and tissue samples, and completed necropsies of animals that died.
The preliminary results of this on-going research suggest that ibex are more restricted in the areas where they co-exist with the argali, and the ibex rely much more heavily on the more rugged terrain.
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