THE DISTRIBUTION AND NUMBER OF SIBERIAN IBEX (<i>Capra sibirica</i> Pall., 1776) ON THE TERRITORY OF SAYANO-SHUSHENSKY BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Considered the territorial distribution, abundance, migration and structure of the herds of Siberian ibex in the territory of Sayano-Shushensky biosphere reserve for the period from 2009 to 2016. The total area covered by research is more than 2000 km<sup>2</sup>, the length of routes is more than 2200 km. The total number of animals registered was 3201. Here Capricorns are concentrated in a limited area adjacent to the Sayano-Shushenskoye reservoir, with a total population of about 1900-2000 individuals. Pets depend on orographic and climatic peculiarities of the territory, prey availability, season of the year. The northern border of the range of the left-bank (reserve) grouping is considered to be the valley of the river Kara-Kem. To the north, on the basin of the river Talovka, reliably registered single calls of ibex. The western border of the range completely coincides with the upper boundary of the tipical landscapes of the ibex: steep rocky areas adjoining the steppe slopes of the southern exposure from the river Kara-Kem, further - rivers Bol’shie Ury, Hemterek to the river Kolbak-Cape in the south. The eastern border runs along the shore of the reservoir. The density of population of the Siberian ibex is higher where in the complex are combined steppe areas and mountain slopes that are inaccessible to wolves rocks, natural closed shelters, areas of forest vegetation or tall shrubs and a relatively safe water. In the summer, most males and females are kept isolated groups. Overall, the population of Siberian ibex in the Yenisei part of the West Sayan is in stable condition, the human impact on it is minimal because of the protection regime for most of the regional area.