Состояние популяции «горных» зубров на Северо-Западном Кавказе

На территории северной и восточной части Кавказского заповедника и сопредельных с ним районов в настоящее время существует в вольных условиях популяция горных зубров. Эти животные выведены из зубробизонов методом направленной селекционной работы, при преобразующем воздействии горнолесной среды обитания в течение 26 лет (1940–1966 гг.)…

A herd of “mountain European bison” has lived for over 26 years now in the north-west part of the Caucasus Mountains (Caucasus State Reserve) under conditions of complete freedom. The line of “mountain bison” was selected from European bison – American bison crosses. As at January 1st 1967 the herd of this line consisted of 230 bulls and young bison and 286 cows and heifers of different ages. Of this number, 48.80/o was formed by adult animals. The yearly increase in the herd varied from 10 to 14%. Basic winter food consists mainly of blackberries, fescue and other dried graminaceous plants, and the bark and shoots of trees and shrubs. In the summer they feed mainly on grass and leaves of shrubs and trees. Rivalry between European bison and other hoofed animals does not take a very violent form on account of the abundance and variety of food. The chief task for the next few years will be to re-acclimatize the “mountain European bison” in other parts of the North Caucasus Mountains.