About introduction of bobak marmot in the Mariy El Republic. Obintrodouktsii sourka-baïbaka v respoublike Mari? El. [Sur l’introduction de la marmotte bobak en République Mayi El].

Résumé

"On August 18, 1993, 50 marmots caught in the Chatyr- Tau tract (Aznakaevsk district, Tatarstan) were introduced into man-made holes in the forest-steppe part of the Gornomariyskiy ditrict, the Mari y El Republic. At the very beginning the marmots occupied nine holes and then wintered in seven holes. Next year the marmots first appeared on the surface at the beginning of April. Number of marmots to pass the winter was the same. During the first spring no young animals were born. Established to protect the bobak marmot colony, the 3.4 thousand ha State Sanctuary ""Emeshevskiy"" has contributed to the reduction of anthropogenic pressure. The sanctuary's regulations limited grazing activity in the close vicinity of the colony. After a 10-year period, grazing was allowed again but seemed to have no visible negative effect on animals. Marmots allow cows and shepherds approaching up to 15-30 rn though being frightened by dogs. A growth of bobak marmot population within the colony started after young generations of marmots were born in 1995. The further growth and changes in population composition are given in Table. Bobak marmot population dynamics in the Mari y El Republic. Population Number of introduced marmots Year total mature One-year-old Under one year Total Mature females Mature males Females under one year Males under one year 1993 - - - - 50 10 10 15 15 1994 27 7 20 1995 26 26 - - 30 8 8 8 6 1996 53 27 14 ; 12 1997 91 43 12 1998 105 37 36 32 1999 130 70 30 30 * 7 1 2 2 2 2000 137 76 26 35 2001 161 84 35 42 * 6 2 1 1 2 2002 177 99 40 38 2003 193 116 30 47 2004 203 107 45 51 "