Regarding the population of the Caucasus tur (Сapra сaucasica Guldenstaedt et Pallas, 1783) in the tlyaratinsky reserve (Republic of Dagestan)

Questions regarding the status assessment and population monitoring of these or those «resource» types of large ungulates are of special relevance in the Caucasus, where there is high diversity of landscapes and biota with an abundance of endemic species on relatively small territories, which are quite prone to significant direct and indirect human effects. The Caucasus Tur (Capra сaucasica Guldenstaedt et Pallas, 1783) acts as a representative of such “resource” and endemic species and it is widely spread throughout the Caucasus ridge. The purpose of this work was to complete a population status assessment of Eastern Caucasus Tur, on the territory of the State Natural Reserve of federal value “Tlyaratinksy”. The reserve is in the upper part of Dzhumurt river’s basin in the Tlyaratinksy district, Republic of Dagestan. The territory is of special interest not only because it is a federal SPNT (Specially Protected Natural Territory) but also because this area can be considered for possible expansion of the leopard reintroduction Program in the Caucasus. The tur is the most numerous in the reserve and it is potentially the main source of food in case of leopard reintroduction and habitat here, hence, it seems necessary to obtain up-to-date data on the numbers, spatial distribution and characteristics of the environment. During the study, an evaluation of Caucasian tur population was completed at selected sites of the reserve in the spring time. In total, there were over one thousand individuals visually observed on six sites; almost seven hundred individuals of them were mixed groups of female individuals with young animals. There were numbers of herds noted near human settlements and these animals did not show visible signs of anxiety. The tur occupied the middle part of the slopes for the most part but groups of male individuals were also noted closer to the tops of the combs. Per available literature data, the tur population in recent years was around 1.8 - 2.3 thousand individuals on the reserve territory. We estimated that based on the studied surface area and the number of tagged animals the population of the tur can reach up to 3.5 thousand species or more at present. There is a probable correlation between the seasonal fluctuations in distribution of turs and the presence of considerable amount of nomadic animal husbandry in the region (about 90 thousand heads of large and small cattle can be noted in this region seasonally, mainly sheep). The above remark presents a certain interest and it is the focus of our further research.