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solitary. During the autumn mating period, they join the nursery herds
and compete for mating rights. After a gestation period of about 160
days, 1–2 kids are born, each weighing about 2 kg.
Distribution and Status The Wild Goat inhabits southern and eastern
Turkey, may still be present on the Iraqi side of the Zagros Range and
is widespread in Iran. Uncontrolled hunting, habitat destruction and
competition for food with domestic goats and sheep has reduced Wild
Goat numbers dramatically across almost the entire range in the past
30 years. Any impact of interbreeding with domestic and feral goats
- numerous throughout the Wild Goat’s range – is unknown and little
studied. It occurs in 38 conservation areas in Turkey and at least 50 in
Iran.
Conservation Areas Köprülü Kanyon NP, Munzur Valdisi NP,
Olimpos-Beydaglari NP, Sipildag NP, Termessos NP (Turkey); Ariz and
Bafq PA, Daranjir WR, Khar Turan NP, Abbas Abad PA, Golestan NP,
Alborz-Markazy NP (Iran).
NUBIAN IBEX Capra ibex nubiana
Identification Some authorities believe that this ibex of north-
eastern Africa and Arabia is a distinct species. Others consider it to
be a subspecies of the ibex that occurs across Eurasia. It is large and
goat-like. Rams have a longish beard under the chin and massive,
semi-circular horns (70–140 cm). The horns have transverse knobs
along their entire outer length (except at the tips). Ewes have more
slender and much shorter horns. The overall body coloration is dark