The number of argali sheep, a near endangered species in western Mongolia has increased to 4,095, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

The census of argali sheep, a species of wild sheep living along Mongolia’s western border with Russia, was conducted from 2019 to October this year in the Mongolian provinces of Bayan-Ulgii and Uvs.

There are nine subspecies of argali across the world. Among them is Altai argali mainly living in Mongolia and bordering countries. Given its decreasing population overall, argali is a near endangered species. It is the first time that the regional population of argali sheep has exceeded 4,000.