Current population and conservation status of the Tibetan wild ass (Equus kiang) in the Arjin Mountain Nature Reserve, China.

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 45,000km 2 , 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 /km 2 , with the highest density of 1.47/km 2 recorded in Ayak Kum, while the lowest observed density of 0.01/km 2 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.