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Abstract The Kiang (Equus kiang Moorcroft, 1841) is listed as a Least Concern species by the IUCN. From 2011-2012, field surveys were conducted in the Arjin Mountain Nature Reserve in Xinjiang, China to collect up to date information about the current population and conservation status of the Kiang (Equus kiang Moorcroft, 1841). During the survey, direct (observation) and indirect (questionnaire survey) methods were used to collect information about the Kiang. The study area was divided into seven main sites (At Atkan, Kara Dong, Kara Qokka, Ixak Patti, Ayak Kum, Aqqik Kul and Whale Lake) within the nature reserve. The study was conducted in the early morning and late afternoon, when the Kiang is most active. A total population of 8,500-9,500 Kiangs were estimated for the reserve of 45,000km2, with the highest population in Ayak Kum (34.9%), followed by Ixak Patti (22.06%), Aqqik Kul (21.01%), Whale Lake (12.98%), Kara Qokka (5.18%), Kara Dong (3.53%) and At Atkan (0.30%).
The overall population density of the sites was recorded as 0.63±0.23 animals /km2 with the highest density of 1.47/km2 recorded in Ayak Kum, while the lowest observed density of 0.01/km2 was recorded in At Atkhan. Although the results are encouraging, the species is still threatened, and intensity of the potential threats varied between sites. Fencing, intensified competition with domestic livestock, road infrasrtucture construction and mining activities were the major threats to the conservation of the Kiang in the Arjin Mountain Nature Reserve. We recommend that such threats need to be addressed and monitored specifically in future for the conservation of the Kiang population.
Key Words: Tibetan wild ass, Tibetan Plateau, Arjin Mountain, Population Estimates, Conservation of Kiang.
INTRODUCTION The Equus kiang, commonly called the Kiang or Tibetan wild ass, is the only equid living on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (Antoine and Steeve, 2009). It is widely distributed at elevations of 2,700-5,300 m (Schaller, 1998), where it inhabits open terrain, alpine meadows, desert steppes, broad valleys and rolling hills sparsely vegetated with grasses and sedges (Harris and Miller, 1995; Schaller, 1998; Bhatnagar et al., 2006; Antoine and Steeve, 2009). The species extends into northern parts of Pakistan, India, Nepal and possibly Bhutan; the western limit of its distribution lies on the border of Khunjerab National Park in Pakistan (75°19'E), and...