Viabilidad del hábitat y del reforzamiento poblacional de Capra pirenaica en la Reserva Nacional de Caza de Os Ancares

Abstract

Iberian wild goat Capra pyrenaica has been re-introduced in the Cantabrian Mountains in Leon province (Riano and Ancares). To evaluate habitat and restocking suitability in the National Game Reserve of Os Ancares (NGRA, Lugo province) we: (i) undertook a reconstruction of its natural history in the NW of the Iberian Peninsula; (ii) gathered data on its current distribution in Ancares; (iii) analyzed its habitat use though a review of similar experiences; (iv) developed a cartography to define its potential habitat, and y v) drew a zoning of the NGRA following habitat quality. Results indicate the existence of suitable habitat in 1,250, which could host 40 animals considering a density of 3 goat km -2 . The management of this population should we coordinated with the leonese side of the massif, of higher quality and surface rather than the Lugo’s slope. The increase of the current population will allow the species to colonize naturally the whole massif.