Urial (Ovis Orientalis) is a special type of sheep found in the landscapes of
Ladakh. This animal is considered as the smallest sheep in eastern Asia. The curious thing about Urial is that its horns are as tall as its whole body. Also known as Shapu, Urial usually weighs 85 kg and lives in the grassy mountain slopes at an altitude of 4000 m. The Wildlife Department of
Jammu and Kashmir gives special protection to Urial as their population is less than 500 in the entire Ladakh region.
