The Kamchatka Sheep is probably the most renowned Snow Sheep, but maybe also the most threatened one.

Names

English: Kamchatka Snow Sheep

German: Kamtschatka Schneeschaf

French: Mouflon des neiges du Kamchatka

Spanish: Carnero de las nieves de Kamchatka

Taxonomy

O. n. nivicola, Eschscholtz, 1829

Distribution

The Kamchatka Snow Sheep is endemic to the Kamchatka Peninsula; seperated from the Koryak Snow Sheep range and the mainland of Siberia by a valley system that acts as a natural barrier: the Parapolsky Valley, the valley of the Rekinniki River in the West, and the Anapka River in the East. [1]

Kamchatka Snow Sheep at South Kamchatka Regional Park. Photo: Igor Shpilenok

Population

numbers: 3.000-3.500 – extrapolated from various sources (1997-2010) [1]

Description

Generally spoken, Kamchatka Snow Sheep are dark brown in summer and light colored in winter (photos depicting the animal in winter coat are very rare).

Kamchatka Snow Sheep at South Kamchatka Regional Park. Photo: Igor Shpilenok

summer coat: Zheleznov (1997) describes a 7-year-old Kamchatka Snow Sheep ram taken in August as having a uniformly colored coat, predominantly dark brown on the shoulders, back and neck, with no line on the back. The belly is dark brown (whereas one of the females depicted here has a very conspicious white belly). Limbs: The frontal parts of the forelegs and hindlegs are also dark brown, whereas the posterior sides are white. Rump patch is white too. The head is dark brown with steel gray tints. Between the horns closer to the back of the neck there is a white patch. The bridge of the nose is dark brown. [1]

Kamchatka Snow Sheep at South Kamchatka Regional Park. Photo: Igor Shpilenok

winter coat: The original account of Eschscholtz (1829) of an old ram in winter pelage, describes the hair as yellowish-gray on back, lighter on belly, almost straw yellow on neck and head. Demidoff describes the winter pelage color as uniform with heavy and shaggy hair with the back and flanks varying from light yellowish-cinnamon to cinnamon-brown. Legs are rufous in front, yellowish-gray behind; hind part of thigh and rump patch are yellowish-white. A small mane of leongated slightly darker hair is present along the midline of the neck. The head is grayish-brown and the tip of the muzzle and chin is dirty white. A dark cinnamon colored band extends across the face between eyes and nose. [1]

Threats

Eschscholtz (1829:1) reported that Kamchatka Snow Sheep were commonly killed by local residents for subsistence. They also use the hides as sleeping bags. Many former travellers reported that Snow Sheep occured along the coast of Kamchatka. Apparently the sheep on the cliffs were easy prey. Today there are probably less than half as many Kamchatka Snow Sheep within the historic range on the Kamchatka Peninsula as there were in 1975. [1]

Kamchatka Snow Sheep at South Kamchatka Regional Park. Photo: Igor Shpilenok

The recent downward trend is principally related to anthropogenic influences. Access to hitherto undisturbed areas is facilitated by an improved road network; in more remote areas snowmobiles, light aircraft and helicopter cause year-round disturbance. Exploration and mining activities in remote areas may also be a contributing cause. Illegal (black market) trophy hunting, ordinary meat poaching and even legal trophy hunting are other negative influences (see „Trophy hunting“). [1]

Ecotourism

Ecotourism in Kamtchatka is very popular. But of ten companies examined (2017/02), that offer tours or write about it, only two mention Snow Sheep as a possible sight. Most of these firms offer tours to see Brown Bear, salmon or Steller’s Sea Eagle.

Trophy hunting

Kamchatka Snow Sheep trophy hunting is also very popular. Jumping-off point is Petropavlosk. Hunters are usually either transported directly to hunting camps by helicopter or from outlying locations. Hunting is on foot or by horseback. The season runs from August 1 to September 30. Hunters are warned of possible excessive legal trophy hunting quotas or inadequate distribution of these quotas over hunting concessions. [1]

Literature Cited

[1] Damm, Gerhard R. and Franco, Nicolás, 2014: The CIC Caprinae Atlas of the World – CIC International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation, Budakeszi, Hungary in cooperation with Rowland Ward Publications RSA (Pty) Ltd., Johannesburg, South Africa.