Animals on the Edge

Tatra Mountains: Conserving the Tatra’s mountain goats

Aims

With less than 250 chamois left in the Tatra mountains, AOTE is researching ways of conserving the species, which is threatened by over-development across its habitat.

Overview

An estimated 3-million people visit the Tatra National Park every year and, after Slovakia’s accession to the European Union in 2004, development in the Tatra’s, particularly for tourism, has increased significantly. These developments, along with greater human disturbance, have increased the pressure on the already threatened Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica), a sub-species of Rupicapra rupicapra.

Working closely with a local conservation organization, Animals on the Edge photographer and Director of Field Research, Chris Weston, is researching methods of enabling sustainable commercial development, vital to the economy of the country and the livelihoods of local people, while protecting the critically endangered chamois within its existing habitat.

Future Actions

On completion of the research a White Paper will be presented to the Department of the Environment and the Tatra National Park authorities (TANAP).