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Update of the distribution and status of the aoudad Ammotragus lervia (Bovidae, Caprini) in Tunisia

  • Jamel Ben Mimoun EMAIL logo , Jorge Cassinello and Saïd Nouira
Published/Copyright: March 18, 2016

Abstract

The distribution and status of the aoudad Ammotragus lervia in Tunisia is reported. The species occupies rocky craggy terrain from 334 to 1544 m in three main habitat types: forests of the Tunisian dorsal, steppes in the mountain ranges of central Tunisia, and desert tabular heights in the south of the country. Five populations are currently subject to monitoring in Tunisia, the most stable ones living free-ranging at the Chambi National Park and in captivity at the Nature Reserve Oued Dekouk. The whole country population does not exceed 700–800 individuals, severely fragmented and mainly located in protected areas. Poaching and loss of forage and habitat due to overgrazing by domestic animals are the main threats of Tunisian aoudads. Following the IUCN criteria it should be classified as Endangered (EN) B1. The sustainability of aoudad populations basically depends on the long-term viability of protected areas and the establishment of urgent conservation measures, including reintroductions and the prevention of poaching and overgrazing by domestic animals.


Corresponding author: Jamel Ben Mimoun, Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, El Manar University, Tunis 2092, Tunisia, e-mail:

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Tunisian forest managers for their understanding and for facilitating the access of JBM to protected areas, as well as park employees for their voluntary collaboration.

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Received: 2015-4-16
Accepted: 2016-1-25
Published Online: 2016-3-18
Published in Print: 2017-3-1

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