Original scientific paper
Current status of the northern chamois Rupicapra rupicapra in Paklenica National Park
Marijan Milovac
orcid.org/0000-0002-3383-3514
; Javna Ustanova Nacionalni Park Paklenica, dr. Franje Tuđmana 14a, 23244 Starigrad-Paklenica, Croatia
Ivana Adžić
orcid.org/0000-0001-8383-1173
; Javna Ustanova Nacionalni Park Paklenica, dr. Franje Tuđmana 14a, 23244 Starigrad-Paklenica, Croatia
Zlatko Marasović
; Javna Ustanova Nacionalni Park Paklenica, dr. Franje Tuđmana 14a, 23244 Starigrad-Paklenica, Croatia
Gordan Lukač
; Javna Ustanova Nacionalni Park Paklenica, dr. Franje Tuđmana 14a, 23244 Starigrad-Paklenica, Croatia
Abstract
In the past, an indigenous chamois population inhabited Velebit Mountain, but the nature of its taxonomic status is unknown. This indigenous population was exterminated at the beginning of the 20th century, probably because of such phenomena as poaching, disturbance by livestock and sheepdogs, and possibly diseases. The chamois was re-introduced to Northern Velebit twice. The first time came in 1974, when 10 individuals were introduced from Mt Prenj in Bosnia and Herzegovina (R. rupicapra balcanica), and a second time in 1978, when 5 individuals were introduced from Kamniške Alpe in Slovenia (R. rupicapra rupicapra). A genetic analysis of the recent chamois population on the Northern Velebit showed a hybrid genetic structure, containing genes of both subspecies.
Historical data confirm that the presence of the chamois in the Paklenica National can be traced back to at least the year 1985. The presence of the northern chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) in Paklenica was investigated in the period 2008-2012. The objective was to present the population status and the shift in its distribution since 1985. It is likely that part of the population may move between the Park and the neighbouring hunting areas.
Keywords
Chamois; Paklenica National Park; protected area; reintroduction; Velebit Mountain; wild ungulates
Hrčak ID:
122585
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2014.
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