The Novosibirsk Zoo has announced the birth of two argali lambs, a male and a female. The lambs, born to two different female argali, are now three and four months old, respectively.

Argali, also known as arkhar or Altai mountain sheep, are the largest wild sheep species. Their historical range included the Altai region, Tuva, and Mongolia.

The species faces a grave threat of extinction, primarily driven by poaching. Argali horns are highly prized as trophies, leading to a drastic decline in their population—a halving in the past 40 years. Consequently, argali are currently listed in the Red Book as a vulnerable species.

The Novosibirsk Zoo is actively involved in argali conservation through a reintroduction program. The zoo’s press service noted that young male argali, after undergoing specific training, are released into the “Sailugemsky” National Park in the Altai Republic.

The zoo’s argali program began in 1994 with the arrival of a single female. A pair of young argali were introduced in 2010, and their first offspring arrived in 2013.

Separately, the zoo also celebrated the first birthday of Chloe, an Amur leopard born on July 25, 2024.