The chamois is the symbolic animal of the Alps. Your population is growing.
Regensburg (dpa / lby) – The number of chamois is increasing in the Bavarian Alps. This emerges from a monitoring project of the Bavarian State Forests. After a pilot count in 2020 with 1654 chamois, a total of 1873 animals were counted in 2021 and 2060 specimens in the previous year. The authority expects a meaningful interpretation of the monitoring in 2025. However, the results so far suggest that the stocks are not developing negatively, according to a statement on Friday.
The aim of the census is to document the population in order to see how the “symbolic animal of the Alps” is doing. To do this, employees of the forestry companies count the chamois at around 100 observation points in the Bavarian Alps during the summer months. According to the information, the project is scientifically accompanied by the wildlife biologist Flurin Filli from Switzerland.
However, the numbers represent only a fraction of the actual population size, said state forest chairman Reinhardt Neft. “For me, the increase is an indication that the animals are doing well and their population is stable. At the same time, we must not lose sight of the interests of the mountain forest.” Responsibility for the care and preservation of the mountain forests and for the chamois and their habitat went hand in hand.
According to the information, chamois feel particularly comfortable in rocky regions above the tree line, are characterized by a good sense of sight and smell and excellent climbing skills. Downhill, the animals can reach speeds of up to 45 kilometers per hour. They find food on alpine pastures, preferring grass, herbs, moss, pine needles and young trees or their buds.
Goats live with their young in packs of 30 or more animals. Chamois, on the other hand, are loners. The male animals can live up to 15 years, goats up to 20 years.
