Raba krmišč pri navadnem muflonu (Ovis orientalis musimon) na Gorenjskem

Abstract

Mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon) is currently the most abundant but poorly studied introduced ungulate species in Slovenia. Studies are rare also elsewhere across Europe, especially in respect to the use of artificial feeding sites, although supplemental feeding is common practice in many countries. We used camera-traps to determine group structure of mouflons using five winter feeding sites in the Gorenjska region (Julian Alps, NW Slovenia). We also studied their circadian activity and the use of mouflon feeding sites by other species. Average group size was 3.5 animals and feeding sites were most often used by ewes with their offspring. We recorded two peaks in circadian use of feeding sites at sunrise and sunset. We recorded six other species using the feeding sites, red deer (Cervus elaphus) being the most dominant among them. Use of camera-traps at the artificial feeding sites proved to be an efficient method to monitor mouflon population and their use of feeding sites.