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Caucasian Red Deer Spotted in Tusheti After Decades
On August 27, 2014 ยท By: CNF Staff
(c) Agency of Protected Areas, Georgia
The Caucasian red deer has been spotted in Tusheti Protected Areas
after decades of absence.
The Caucasian red deer or Cervus elaphus maral is listed as critically
endangered in both the Georgian and Armenian Red Book. It was thought
that Georgia had only two very small and isolated populations in
Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and Lagodekhi Strict Nature Reserve.
But recent camera trap footage confirms the deer is making a return to
the high mountains of Tusheti Protected Areas.
CNF is supporting Tusheti with a three-year operational grant of
EURO 284,400; part of the funds are used to purchase essential equipment,
such as camera traps, fuel and patrol vehicles. The video footage was
made possible by camera traps installed in different areas of the park
to help monitor the park's biodiversity.
Historically, the mountains of Tusheti had a rich deer population, but
due to years of hunting and encroachment deer numbers have dwindled
across the region and the animal was thought to be extinct in Tusheti.
Without proper monitoring tools it was impossible to determine whether
of not the deer was in the area. Sightings by local shepherds during
the summer months gave park administrators hope that the red deer was
returning, but it was the camera traps that provided the real proof.
The first images were captured about two years ago and showed a single
deer on a hillside, more recent video has shown a group of deer and a
mother and baby walking down to a little spring. Experts first thought
that the deer had migrated from Lagodekhi, the neighboring protected
area, but now there is enough footage from different areas to confirm
that the deer is in fact inhabiting the high mountains. Furthermore,
the images of the mother and baby confirm that the population is
growing!
CNF is working with park administrators to ensure proper measures are
in place to reduce poaching and monitor the species so the red deer
can once again thrive in Georgia. Visit Tusheti Protected Areas. You
may be one of the first visitors to meet the Caucasian deer in person!
http://caucasus-naturefund.org/caucasian-red-deer-spotted-in-tusheti-after-decades/
From: A. Papazian
On August 27, 2014 ยท By: CNF Staff
(c) Agency of Protected Areas, Georgia
The Caucasian red deer has been spotted in Tusheti Protected Areas
after decades of absence.
The Caucasian red deer or Cervus elaphus maral is listed as critically
endangered in both the Georgian and Armenian Red Book. It was thought
that Georgia had only two very small and isolated populations in
Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and Lagodekhi Strict Nature Reserve.
But recent camera trap footage confirms the deer is making a return to
the high mountains of Tusheti Protected Areas.
CNF is supporting Tusheti with a three-year operational grant of
EURO 284,400; part of the funds are used to purchase essential equipment,
such as camera traps, fuel and patrol vehicles. The video footage was
made possible by camera traps installed in different areas of the park
to help monitor the park's biodiversity.
Historically, the mountains of Tusheti had a rich deer population, but
due to years of hunting and encroachment deer numbers have dwindled
across the region and the animal was thought to be extinct in Tusheti.
Without proper monitoring tools it was impossible to determine whether
of not the deer was in the area. Sightings by local shepherds during
the summer months gave park administrators hope that the red deer was
returning, but it was the camera traps that provided the real proof.
The first images were captured about two years ago and showed a single
deer on a hillside, more recent video has shown a group of deer and a
mother and baby walking down to a little spring. Experts first thought
that the deer had migrated from Lagodekhi, the neighboring protected
area, but now there is enough footage from different areas to confirm
that the deer is in fact inhabiting the high mountains. Furthermore,
the images of the mother and baby confirm that the population is
growing!
CNF is working with park administrators to ensure proper measures are
in place to reduce poaching and monitor the species so the red deer
can once again thrive in Georgia. Visit Tusheti Protected Areas. You
may be one of the first visitors to meet the Caucasian deer in person!
http://caucasus-naturefund.org/caucasian-red-deer-spotted-in-tusheti-after-decades/
From: A. Papazian