The 1987 'Mongolian RedBook' (Shagdarsuren et al., 1987) estimated the totalpopulation in Mongolia to consist of around 80,000121individuals in Mongolia, although numbers are believed to have declined since this peak(Mallon et al., 1997) due to exploitation, habitat degradation, and competition for resources.Generation length has been estimated as seven years, based on data from Nowak (1991). Atpresent the population size and distribution is large enough to warrant the categorisation ofthis species as Near Threatened. However, the population could decline by as much as 30-40% over the next three generations, primarily due to exploitation, leading to a future recategorisationunder Criterion A if conservation actions are not implemented. The assessmentremains unchanged following application of regional criteria as there is no signifi cantimmigration from adjacent countries.

No data on populationsizes are available at present, although it is knownthat threats, particularly exploitation is having a largeimpact upon this species, coupled with hybridisationand habitat degradation. Generation length has beenestimated as four years, based on data from Nowak(1991). As exploitation is known to be causing apopulation decline, when data becomes available thisspecies may be re-categorised as threatened under Criterion A. There is a small chance ofimmigration from adjacent populations of S. s. sibirica, although levels of hunting pressureon these populations are not known, therefore the assessment remains unchanged followingapplication of regional criteria.