Long-term complex monitoring of horse populations: its advantages and problems

Abstract

Complex monitoring of a feral horse population (Rostovsky State Nature Biosphere Reserve, Russia) started in 2006. Its main goal was to assess the state of the group and to forecast its future prospects. The monitoring was based on the so called biographical method. The long-term and comprehensive studies allowed uncovering some phenomena that were not evident through short-term observations, namely a persistent high mortality rate of the young stock; constant presence of groups of mares that did not breed (or had low reproductive status); delayed reaction of the population to a disturbance of its social structure, and others. It is stressed that such long-term complex monitoring should be implemented in any reintroduction projects.

Keywords

• biographical method
• feral horses
• long-term investigation
• monitoring
• Rostov Region
• Russia