Verona Wildlife Survey Counts Over 400 Chamois on Monte Baldo
The census on the Italian population, which is happening these days, was preceded in recent weeks by another survey, this time on chamois of Monte Baldo. It was discovered that there are more than four hundred.
Spotted were also a couple of fallow deer, a young deer, a female rock ptarmigan in nesting position, two eagles, water pipits, marmots, etc. Organized by the Provincia di Verona (Wildlife and Environmental Sector) and by the Gav (Group of Hunting Guides, composed of passionate scholars), the survey was carried out by about eighty people, spread out everywhere, at altitudes between 1,400 and 1,600 meters, some on the Gardesano side, others on the opposite side.
Reaching the Telegrafo refuge in the evening, in cold and fierce wind, the participants were refreshed by the manager, then followed a lesson by Paolo De Martin. At four in the morning, the alarm went off. Everyone went to a specific station. After completing observations, after 9:30, the coordinator Giuseppe Adami collected the data sheets.
Three hundred and fifteen chamois were “counted”. Based on the mathematical proportion used by wildlife biologists, it is believed that the actual number exceeds 400. There were 103 females (compared to 121 in 2000), 77 juveniles (about fifteen fewer than last year), 49 males (nine more), and roughly eighty jarhling (individuals over 12 months old).
State and behaviors of the chamois
“The highest mortality affects those in young age. Those who survive beyond a year have good chances of adapting to the environment and surviving,” declared Adami, explaining the reduced number of females, noting that “chamois suffer greatly from the wind. They are likely to remain crouched and motionless with their little ones in the dense heather, becoming virtually invisible.”
Evidence of this is that sightings on the more sheltered side were not lacking. Known as the paradise of botanists, who since the eighteenth century have appreciated its incredible floral-vegetational richness (some have called it “Hortus Europae”, others “rariorum plantarum hortus”), Monte Baldo is also becoming a zoo garden.
Calls to biodiversity and protection initiatives
It all began in 1988, with the introduction of five chamois, which evidently have bred. To the delight of naturalists, hikers, and hunters themselves, many species have returned to populate meadows, forests, and rocks: from roe deer to deer, from eagles to marmots.
A significant achievement, obtained thanks to increased environmental awareness and joint efforts by various organizations. The head of the area, Giramonti, stated that “perhaps it is time to start the phase of culling, limited to older individuals. The goal: to prevent the weaker chamois from being attacked by parasitic diseases, which could spread to healthy specimens.”
The other danger comes from stray dogs or those left unleashed by their owners. “Municipal administrations and the Provincia must understand that every day, nests are threatened, and the tranquility of resident fauna is disturbed. Therefore, appropriate regulations and strict controls are necessary, especially during weekends,” concluded Giramonti.
Activities of the Group of Hunting Guides (Gav)
Regarding Gav, it is composed of 150 members. After passing exams in Trento before an external commission, and completing a lengthy internship, they can guide hunters in choosing the game to be hunted. Additionally, they conduct (free of charge) visits for anyone wanting to see the animals live.
In 2002, they plan to organize a series of naturalistic visits.
