The key to survival for Europe's mountain-dwelling chamois is 'in situ' management of wilderness areas
Article courtesy of Pan Parks Foundation
Native populations develop in an island-like fashion in the Carpathian Mountains, the Alps, the Central Italian Apennines, the Pyrenees, the Balkan Mountains, certain parts of Turkey, and the Caucasus. Due to the isolation and inaccessibility of these areas, most of these mountains are occupied by two species and several subspecies specific to each range. Within the EU, the chamois species is strictly protected under the European Habitats Directive.
Species history in Europe
The chamois was traditionally an important game animal for people living in the mountains: It was hunted for food, as well as for its skin and horns, the latter which was used to prepare certain medicines. Human pressure on mountain areas started to increase in the 17th and 18th centuries, and logging and grazing resulted in continued expansion of suitable habitats for chamois. Deforestation not only created more favourable food conditions for the species, but also led to the extinction of big carnivores, which had greatly affected their numbers. These artificially created conditions significantly increased population density, but this in turn caused a gradual worsening in the health condition of the Alpine chamois, for example. Viral infections and other diseases typical of the chamois in the Alps made this subspecies subject to a dramatic change of population dynamics. In contrast, subspecies in other regions such as the Carpathians, Balkan and Dinaric mountains, where native populations of carnivores survived, are much healthier and less vulnerable to infections, allowing for a more balanced population dynamics in those areas.
A wilderness species
In a heavily exploited continent like Europe, large and properly managed high-mountain wilderness areas are critical to the chamois' survival. Enclosing the animal or keeping it in captivity is difficult and often results in death. The key, then, to the future of the species lies is in situ management - i.e. leaving them wild in their natural environment. According to data from the Large Herbivore Foundation (LHF), the largest non-fragmented area for chamois is to be found in the Alps, with a population of over 80,000 animals in Swiss territories, and about 20,000 in Germany.
Even though there are ample open spaces in these areas for the chamois to thrive in, no other natural conditions are provided. Intensive grazing of domestic animals causes a dramatic change in chamois' natural habitats, and the lack of carnivores means that the only natural causes of population decline remaining are extreme weather and avalanches. However, these phenomena cause only temporary decreases in population; thus to avoid the detrimental effects of disease caused by overpopulation, hunting is still used as a means of artificial population management.
In order to increase the number of suitable, natural habitats for chamois in the Alps, human activity in existing large, open spaces must decrease. Examples of such initiatives can be found in the mountainous wilderness of Hohe Tauern National Park and Kalkalpen National Park in Austria, and Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy, among others. These areas provide a solid base for future protection of natural populations of Alpine chamois, mainly through measures taken to reduce human activity. Moreover, repeated attempts to bring back native carnivores can contribute significantly to a more natural dynamic of the Alpine chamois population.
The chamois population in Slovakia's Tatra Mountains National Park, however, is very small, isolated and threatened. At the same time, these animals are much healthier as stable numbers help to ward off disease. Population is also influenced by the presence of large carnivores and an absence of human impact through hunting. But the small population remains cause for concern. For example, during the Second World War the number of chamois in the High Tatras dropped dramatically to 200. The number grew to 700 by the 1960s, but fell back again gradually until 2000. Fluctuation in numbers during this period was attributed to a combination of poaching, low population density, hybridisation with alpine chamois and tourism. The population has recovered a bit since 2005, but further expansion of suitable habitats is needed for further stabilisation.
The preceding examples underline the importance of providing an ideal natural habitat of expansive wilderness areas for the chamois. It is vital for the chamois' survival and healthy development in Europe that these areas contain healthy carnivore populations and are free from human interference.
Chamois in Pan Parks
The PAN Parks Foundation's primary objective is the protection of natural dynamics. Its network of wilderness areas contains numerous critically important chamois habitats, where basically no human intervention is allowed. Through the prohibition of hunting and avoidance of the so-called 'command and control' system, PAN Parks encourages protection of existing and recovery of near-extinct populations of native carnivores. The existence of a healthy and stable population of chamois predators and other wilderness species is an important element of natural dynamics.
The following certified PAN Parks offer favourable natural habitats for chamois: Retezat National Park (NP) in Romania, Central Balkan and Rila NPs in Bulgaria, and Majella NP in Italy. Other PAN Parks such as Rodna NP in Romania, Tatra NP in Slovakia, Hohe Tauern and Kalkalpen NPs in Austria, Gran Sasso NP in Italy, and Durmitor NP in Montenegro also contain large, protected wilderness areas that constitute an ideal habitat for this wilderness species.
Chamois in Central Balkan and Rila national parks
Central Balkan National Park (CBNP) and Rila National Park, both PAN Parks situated in Bulgaria, are home to an especially rare subspecies of chamois, Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica. While the Balkan chamois living in the mountainous regions of nearby countries like Albania, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Greece, Serbia and Montenegro is under major threat from hunting and poaching, its status in Bulgaria is favourable. Bulgaria has a firm legal framework in place that serves as an excellent base for the future well-being of the chamois, for grants 'strictly protected' status to the animal over a network of protected areas, and particularly in the wilderness areas of Central Balkan and Rila national parks.
Legal basis of protection
On an international level, the chamois is protected by various forums such as the Bern Convention (Annex III); CITES (Annex II); and the Red List of IUCN. The chamois is also included in the EC Directive List, in Annex II and Annex IV of Directive 92/43/EEC. On a national level, it is listed as protected under the Bulgarian Biodiversity Law (Annex III), as well as by the management plans of CBNP and Rila NP. Action Plan for Balkan chamois in Bulgaria, 2007-2016 was adopted in 2007. Furthermore, Balkan chamois are included in the Red data book of Bulgaria in the category of endangered species.
Suitable size of habitat for chamois
The size of habitat suitable for Balkan chamois in Central Balkan National Park represents almost 38 percent of the total park size of 72,021 hectares. In Rila National Park, the 34,110-hectare territory of favourable living area constitutes 42 percent of the total protected area.
Importance of chamois for the ecosystem
The Balkan chamois is a representative species of high-mountain ecosystems. By serving as a 'grazing machine' in alpine meadows, it contributes greatly to the maintenance of biodiversity in alpine and sub-alpine habitats in both Central Balkan and Rila national parks. It is also an attractive object of interest for visitors; specialised eco-trails and educational programmes are established around them, such as the chamois nature trail in Rila National Park.
Status and monitoring
Regular monitoring of chamois within Central Balkan National Park has been performed since 1999. Park rangers collect data annually during regular patrols. The Directorate also organises 3-4 days of monitoring every spring and autumn, enabling the collection of comprehensive data on the current number of chamois, stock structure regarding to sex distribution, and relative density in different habitats. Systematic monitoring is conducted both through direct observation of feeding sides and wider surroundings, and observation of wider surroundings.
In 2007, the chamois was added to the Bulgarian Biodiversity Monitoring System. Rila's Park Directorate first implemented a complex ecological monitoring system in 2003, primarily to gain insight into the park's population dynamics through daily and seasonal observations.
The Park Directorate is thus able monitor and document chamois activities on a regular basis, as well as their trails within the park and general condition of the required habitat. The tendencies of between 350-450 animals and descriptions of their natural surroundings are then prepared and updated.
