Mouflon  (Ovis orientalis)

Mouflon are found throughout various countries in central Asia, from Turkey in the west, to Pakistan in the east (1).Subspecies are found throughout the area but some are more restricted in range than others, for example, O. o. isphahanica (Esfahan mouflon) and O. o. laristanica (Laristan mouflon) are restricted to Iran and O. o. vignei (Ladahk urial) occurs in India and Pakistan (1).

Populations are also found in a number of Mediterranean countries which are thought to be the result of introduction by people during the last few centuries, originating from Corsica or Sardinia. It is believed they are descendents of feral sheep and have been widely introduced as an exotic to many countries (4).

Generally found in mountainous areas with both grasslands and desert, although in Europe mouflon have also been introduced into forested areas (1). Mouflon occur up to 3,000 metres above sea level and prefer the gentler slopes of the higher mountain ranges with a reasonable amount of cover, and use steep precipitous regions to avoid predators (4).