Title of the project

Estimation, population dynamics and habitat identification of Balkan chamois (Rupicaprarupicapra balcanica) in the prefecture of Drama, Greece

Description

Rhodope mountain range hosts one of the biggest populations of Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) as far the Greek part is concerned with the forest of Frakto comprising the main area where the species is found. Aim of the study is to provide preliminary results as far as the presence of Balkan chamois in the prefecture of Drama is concerned taking into account population characteristics as well as the geographical distribution of the species. The species is found in its typical habitats such as subalpine grasslands with rocky formations as well as forested habitats on altitudes ranging from 900-1800 m. Balkan chamois have been tracked down for the first time in other regions of Western Rhodope mountains such as Mountain Falakro, Prasinada and in the Maara – Agios Pavlos region.

Results

The number of Balkan chamois that have been recorded between 2009 and 2016 ranged between 47 and 148 animals, while the real population is presumed to be far greater than the annually recorded number of animals.

Location

Country	Greece
Level	Regional
Site	Perfecture of Drama
Specific site coordinates	Frakto Forest
Municipalities involved	Paranest Drama
Province(s)	Drama
Region	Eastern Macedonia

Starting date

2006

Habitat Types

Forest/Woodland, Mountains

Protection status of the areas

Natura 2000, National protected area

Species

Species Caracteristics	Protected species
Species Type	Mammals (other than large carnivores)
Name(s) of main species	Balkan Chamois - Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica

Conservation action(s)

Research and data collection (e.g. monitoring, bag data), Communication and education (for different target audiences e.g. hunters, the wider public), Policy work (e.g. positioning of hunting organisations, demonstrating conservation actions)

Partners

Leading partners	Hunting Federation of Macedonia & Thrace, www.hunters.gr
Other partners	Other hunting associations, Research bodies / Universities / Scientists, Public authorities, Foresters

Estimation of Human Resources needed

Concerrns more than 30 persons (most of them are employees of Hunting Federation of Macedonia & Thrace). 95% of the work has been undertaken by the hunting organisations. There are 48 hours annualy of counts/preparatory work, as well as annual evaluation of the data (by scientific stuff of Hunting Federation)

Publication(s)

KarampatsakisTheofanis1, Giannakopoulos Alexios2, PapadopoulouDimitra3 MalkakisEvangelos4καιBirtsasPeriklis21Hunting Federation of Macedonia and Thrace2 TEIofThessaly, Department of Forestry andκαιNatural Environment Management 3HuntingAssociationofDrama4Department of Environment and Hydroeconomics of Regional Unit of Drama Proceedings in 18th Hellenic Forestry Congesshttp://www.forestry.gr/userfiles/files/FULL%20CONGRESS%20PROCEEDINGS%20HFS%202017%20GREEK%20PART%201(2)%20with%20ISBN.pdf

Weblinks

http://www.hunters.gr/2016/12/%CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%BC%CE%AD%CF%84%CF%81%CE%B7%CF%83%CE%B7-%CE%B1%CE%B3%CF%81%CE%B9%CF%8C%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B4%CE%BF%CF%85-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%BF-%CF%86%CF%81%CE%B1%CE%BA%CF%84%CF%8C-%CF%80%CE%B1/