Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon polii) is a subspecies of sheep, specifically of
Argali, that takes its name from famed explorer
Marco Polo. The Marco Polo sheep is particularly known for its long horns. The longest horn ever found on a sheep was found on a Marco Polo sheep and measured 191 centimeters (75 inches)
[1]. The Marco Polo sheep is
endangered, numbering only 6,000.
[2] Marco Polo sheep are found only in the
Pamir Mountains in the border region of
China,
Afghanistan,
Pakistan and
Tajikistan. Some of the
protected areas where the species occurs include the
Khunjerab National Park and
Central Karakoram National Park in northern Pakistan and the
Taxkongau Nature Reserve in southwestern China. The
Wildlife Conservation Society is trying to organize a protected area for the sheep of about 50,000 square kilometers (20,000 square miles) straddling the four borders.
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