The Cyprus mouflon Ovis gmelini ophion, management, conservation and evolution.

The Cyprus mouflon Ovis gmelini ophion is an endangered species of wild sheep found in the Paphos forest of Cyprus, a mountainous area dominated by pine (Pinus brutia) and golden oak (Quercus alnifolia). Population and reproductive ecology of mouflon was studied in two main habitats; at the centre of the Paphos Forest and at the forest-agriculture interface. The purpose was to provide data that could assist in the management of the species.The population at the edge of the forest had a longer lambing season, produced more lambs, lambs suckled for a longer period of time, and fewer females were barren. Predation was not found to be a factor limiting the population. Mouflon suffered from a wide range of diseases and bone lesions affecting domestic animals. The hemoglobin phenotype of the Cyprus mouflon was type B, not type A which is characteristic of domestic sheep or type M characteristic of the European mouflon. Skeletal measurements revealed that the Cyprus mouflon is 15 - 18% smaller than the 8000 years old Neolithic sheep of Khirokitia. The captive breeding programme of mouflon at the Limassol Zoo was examined and was considered unsatisfactory for the preservation of the endangered species. Finally, a two - line electric fense was found to be effective in preventing agriculture damage, when properly maintained.