The spatial patterns of Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra) and their influence on population dynamics in the Swiss National Park

From the birth season in the spring until the beginning of rut in the autumn, individually marked chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra) were observed in the Swiss National Park. The focus was on the spatial patterns and habitat characteristics of three chamois classes: females with young, females without young though sexually mature, and adult mates. The summer home ranges of females with young were larger and overlapped more than those of femates without young. In comparison, males had extremely small territories. Within the study area, some sporadically observed females were never seen to impinge on the home ranges of the regularly observed females. It must be inferred that they belong to other subpopulations. Habitat parameters provided Little evidence for individual differences between the members of a given class: femates with young, unlike females without young, generally avoided exposed places, whereas mates seemed to favour them. There were also distinct grouping patterns: females with young and without young shared their ranges with other females, independently of the animal class they belonged to, but females with young stayed in larger groups than females without young, whereas mates were mostly solitary. It is inferred that females with young displayed a spatial behaviour that allows best possible protection and feeding conditions for their young, whereas females without young and males try to build up fat reserves during summer. The competition for food between females with overlapping ranges and the social interactions between mates, apparently reduce the survival rate of chamois. Therefore, the territorial behaviour is Likely to play an essential rote in the natural regulation of the chamois population.