Numbers, Distribution and Social Structure of Kiang (\u3ci\u3eEquus kiang\u3c/i\u3e Moorcroft 1841) Population in the Southwestern Part of Tibet, China

In September - October 1998 we made an extensive survey in southwest Tibet to study numbers, distribution and social structure of the kiang population in this remote part of its range. Kiangs were sighted between 29º 40’ and 32º 50’ N, and 81º- 86º E. They preferred broad flat valleys with lakes at an altitude from 4,000 up to 5,000 m. Small kiang groups and solitary animals were sighted in Transhimalaya. There were no kiangs in Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River valley, in the sand desert near Ali and in the Clay Mountains near Tsada. Seven old kiang corpses were found along the road, and five of them near Pryang. Main exterior measurements were taken from an adult male, shot by military personnel a day before we found it. About 90% of all animals were concentrated on three territories. The density of the population on these territories ranged from 0.6 up to 4.2/km², but the average density was 0.15/km². The social structure of the population included solitary individuals, pairs and groups. The kiang population on the studied territory (190,000 km²), which does not have any protection status, was estimated between 28,000-29,000 exemplars. This must represent a considerable part of the whole population of the Tibetan Plateau. All three big kiang herds (from 91 up to 591) were found along the main road, and only one of them had natural protection in winter. The others two kiang herds are very vulnerable in winter, when snow did not allow them to run fast and they were easily shot from cars. The information about the exact location of kiang winter territories can be very useful for the correct planning of kiang protection in southwest Tibet