Surveys was conducted to study the population density and habitat utilization of the ibex （Capra ibex） in Tomur National Nature Reserve during October- December 2005. The results are as follows： ① The mean group size of the ibex in Tomur Nature Reserve is 8.43 and the population density is 269.76/100 km^2; ② The ibex prefer areas with steep slope （between 30° -45°）, broken substrates and cliffs nearby （ 〈 100 m）. They avoid grasslands and fiat hillsides; ③The probable reason for this habitat selection is serf-protection.
lbex （Capra ibex）, a first grade protected animal, has not been well studied in China. Surveys were conducted to investigate the distribution of the ibex in the Tomur National Nature Reserve during October--November 2004, July 2005, and October-December 2005. The results were as follows： （1） Out of five valleys, the ibex was distributed in the Qiong-Tailan, Keqik-Tailan, and Muzart Valleys： （2） Ibexes were not observed in the Tomur Valley and Kuzbayi Valley in our surveys, but interview investigations indicated that they may be found here as well. Our results indicated that the nature reserve as a whole is in the distribution range of ibex and it plays an important role in protecting ibex and the alpine biodiversity. However, the uneven distribution pattern can be due to human activities. Therefore, the management of the reserve needs to be improved in the future.
