Vol. 75 (3) 2023

ARTICLES

New Data on Chamois Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica Bolkay, 1925 (Mammalia: Bovidae) in the Western Stara Planina Mtn., Bulgaria

Nikolay P. Dolapchiev1,*, Diana P. Zlatanova2 & Vladislav Antonov3

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*1Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Street, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; E-mail: ndolapchiev@gmail.com
2Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria; E-mail: dianazlatanova@biofac.uni-sofia.bg
3Regional Directorate of Forestry – Berkovitsa, Mitropolit Kiril Street 13, 3500 Berkovitsa, Bulgaria; E-mail: vladislavanttonov@abv.bg

https://doi.org/10.71424/azb75.3.002718

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Abstract
The Balkan chamois Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica Bolkay, 1925 has a highly fragmented distribution in the mountainous regions of the Balkan Range, including Bulgaria. In 2022, we recorded chamois using camera traps in two locations outside its known distribution range, i.e. in the municipality of Chuprene on the territory of State Forestry Enterprise Midzhur. This is the first well-documented evidence of the presence of the species in the Western Stara Planina Mtn., Bulgaria. The origin of the animals is, most probably, associated with a poorly documented attempt to reintroduce 12 individuals in the region in 2016, with no proper follow-up monitoring or official progress report.

Key words
reintroduction; survival; long-distance dispersal; outside reported distribution

How to Cite
Dolapchiev N.P., Zlatanova D.P. & Antonov V. 2023. New Data on Chamois Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica Bolkay, 1925 (Mammalia: Bovidae) in the Western Stara Planina Mtn., Bulgaria. Acta zoologica bulgarica 75 (3) ???.

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