Urial

Scientific Name: Ovis orientalis vignei

Sub-species: Afghan Urial (Ovis orientalis cycloceros): occurs in southern Turkmenistan, eastern Iran, Afghanistan, and northern Balochistan in Pakistan,  Transcaspian Urial (Ovis orientalis arkal): Ustjurt-Plateau (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, northern Iran) and in western Kazakhstan, Blanford Urial or Balochistan Urial (Ovis orientalis blanfordi): Balochistan (Pakistan), Bukhara Urial (Ovis orientalis bochariensis): Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ladakh Urial (Ovis orientalis vignei): Ladakh and northern Pakistan, Kashmir.

Distribution: See above.

Haitat: Urial live primarily below the timberline in mountainous terrain.

Description: The Urial is a wild goat from central Asia, which is closely related to the european mouflon. With a shoulder height of up to 90 cm, the urial is a medium sized wild sheep. Its horns are similar to those of a mouflon,  with variations between sub-species. Only the rams have large horns which can be up to 100 cm. long when measured along the curve.

Hunting Method: Stalking. Preferably in winter.

Hunting Destinations: Pakistan and Iran

Conservation Status: Vulnerable. The biggest problem facing the future conservation of this species is that the urial – unlike mountain dwelling species that live at higher altitude - is found in areas that are perfectly suitable for human habitation. However populations of most sub-species are increasing - especially in areas with regulated trophy hunting.