THE SHARPOO 
(OVIS VIGNEI) 
r HE sharpoo is found in Ladak and in parts of Baltistan and 
Astor, usually in nullahs which run down to the Indus River. 
In Ladak good heads have been getting scarce of late years, 
and the habitat of this sheep, like that of Ovis hodgsoni , has 
been divided up into blocks. 
The sharpoo of Ladak resembles very closely the urial of the 
Punjab, and the same sheep, with slight variations, extends through 
Persia some way into Asia Minor. Although very similar in general 
appearance, the climatic conditions under which the various races of 
sharpoo live vary considerably, the elevation of the Salt Range in the 
Punjab being very much less than that of Ladak. The horns of this animal 
are usually very graceful, and vary much more in shape than do those of 
Ovis hodgsoni . The old rams seem of a nervous disposition, and frequently 
change their quarters when apparently settled in the middle of the day. 
This makes them difficult to stalk. The ground on which they dwell, 
though not precipitous, consists of fairly steep slopes covered with loose 
shale, which is both noisy and tiring to walk over. 
To give an instance of their restless movements, on one occasion, when 
I was stalking a herd in a nullah running down to the Indus in Baltistan, 
and had got almost within shooting distance, they suddenly transferred 
themselves, for no apparent reason, right across the valley to a spot over 
a mile away. This time, however, they really did settle down, and my 
second attempt was more successful. 
In winter they come low down, especially near Bunji in Astor. In the 
old days the native hunters used to account for many at this season, but 
this, fortunately, is now restrained by the officials of the Game Preservation 
Department. 
A cross between the Ovis hodgsoni and the sharpoo is said to occur 
occasionally, but I have never seen a specimen of this hybrid. 
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