Iran's urial sheep sustain fragile mountain ecosystems in Fars Province

The urial sheep native to the Shiraz area of Iran's Fars Province inhabit the rocky highlands of the region, particularly around Bamu National Park northeast of the city, according to IRNA.

Described as a distinctive blend of Armenian and Larestan wild sheep populations, the species has adapted to the mountainous terrain of the area, where it plays a role in maintaining broader ecological balance.

An ecological role beyond the species itself

According to the report, the urial sheep contributes to regulating vegetation growth in its highland habitat and supports the survival of endangered predator species that depend on it as prey, including the Persian leopard and the Asiatic cheetah, both of which face significant conservation pressure across their remaining range in Iran.

Bamu National Park, where much of this population is found, is one of several protected areas in Fars Province established to preserve the region's mountain wildlife and ecosystems.

Conservation of species such as the urial sheep is considered by wildlife researchers to be closely tied to the survival prospects of the predators that rely on them, underscoring the interconnected nature of highland ecosystems in southern Iran.