Illegal trophy hunting and poaching is the greatest threat to Ovis orientalis and all sub-species of Ovis orientalis.
The distribution of Ovis orientalis includes; Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, France, India, Iran, Italy, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan.
Uzbekistan's impoverished population has become even poorer after the breakup of the USSR. This human crisis has fuelled illegal hunting of wild sheep, including the sub species Ovis orientalis.
Ovis orientalis is considered as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN.