Abruzzi Chamois
The Abruzzi Chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata) is a glacial relict coming
from Asia that suffered an isolation period during the last glaciation. This
factor distinguishes it from Alpine Chamois and it makes one of the most
important species on Majella.
This animal survived the extermination the man committed. Only in the
Abruzzo National Park, with few dozens of specimens, the Chamois colonized
again our mountains thanks to reintroduction activities - "Operation Chamois"
- carried out in the care of WWF Italy and Abruzzo National Park. Today we
are lucky to have, inside our Park, this great animal thought as "the most
beautiful Chamois in the world".
The Abruzzi Chamois is still threatened with extinction because of its long
genetic isolation that caused a low genetic changeability..
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Description |
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The Abruzzi Chamois belongs to the Bovids family. It is featured
by bent and hook-shaped horns made of bony tissue, both in males
and females. These horns don’t fall and gradually grow every
year. Its coat is light in summer, but in winter becomes dark
brown with a light stain under the throat and two darker lateral
stripes that make it different from its close cousin, the Alpine
Chamois. |
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Behaviour |
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They usually live in groups made of females, young males and
cubs. On the other hand the fully-grown males lead a wandering
life and they approach the females only in the mating time that
generally occurs around the middle of October. The gestation
takes about 23-24 weeks and in May-June the females retire to
give birth to its little Chamois.. |
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Feeding |
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It is an herbivorous that feeds on grass of high-altitude
pastures, especially those of Festuco Trifolietum thalii, a
vegetal class very rich in useful proteins in particular in the
weaning period. |
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Habitat |
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In summer it lives above 1700 meters, in zones featured by rocky
faces and pastures, while in winter comes down in the woods
below. |
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Presence |
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Its Faeces can be often confused with those of other ungulates. |
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Sighting |
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The sighting of this animal is difficult since its ability of
taking shelter in impervious mountain zones; if you want to
sight the Chamois, it can be found at the Faunistic Area of Lama
dei Peligni where is a group of 9 animals. |
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Life Span |
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More or less 10-15 years. |
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Edited by Dr. Mirella Di Cecco
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The Chamois in Majella National Park and their reintroduction. (length 1'
27")
