Effect of domestic sheep on chamois activity, distribution and abundance on sub-alpine pastures

摘要: Resource competition and disease transmission may occur when domestic wild ungulates live sympatricly. We investigated if the release of sheep (Ovis aries) onto alpine pasture in Switzerland affected chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) activity budgets, local population size spatial distribution. also evaluated risk Mycoplasma conjunctivae (causing a contagious eye disease) from to by examining two species had close contact with one another. carried out study an valley containing adjacent areas: (Fochsenflue) where were excluded (Spitzflue). found no difference between budgets at sites. At Fochsenflue, mainly used separate areas. However, after approximately 1 month, started move twice per day, into main area chamois. The percentage time feeding, distribution numbers did not change response. Sheep responsible for all encounters which came closer than 50 m each other. brief, body never occurred, they concentrated saltlicks ended them. results suggest that presence little effect on could still be occurring over longer scale. Finally, we inter-specific IKC through direct is likely low, but indirect means (flies or aerosols) remains.