A little over six months ago, Iván Villarejo, a reader of La Vanguardia, sighted a chamois with its left front leg missing in the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park. And, although it moved with agility and had a completely normal coat, everything indicated that the ungulate would not survive the winter.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Because, well into spring, the same specimen was sighted again along with a herd of other chamois. A clear sign that he had overcome all the dangers of the coldest season of the year.
Sources from the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park have confirmed to La Vanguardia that they were unaware of the existence of the lame chamois, until the newspaper revealed its existence. To this day, the possible causes that may have caused it to be missing one of its front legs are still unknown.
However, they affirm that his peculiar condition does not harm him to a great extent. "The only case that could hinder its survival would be if it had to escape from a predator," they point out. As there is no presence of wolves, the largest Iberian species that preys on chamois, they "live in a safe environment".
To carry out other essential actions for its survival, such as eating or moving from one place to another, the lame chamois should not have any major difficulties either. They are "strong, resistant animals with great musculature".
In addition, in the second sighting of the lame chamois, after the winter, it was in a herd made up of other specimens of its species. And, although their sex is unknown for now, according to sources from the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park, only the females and young individuals live in groups.
The chamois population was the initial purpose for which the reserve was created in 1966. At that time, its total population was only 78 individuals. Although it grew exponentially after the management carried out by its specialized team. In 1999, the total number of chamois present in the Caça del Cadí National Reserve was 2,551 individuals.
Today, the total population of chamois continues to be around 2,000 individuals, as reflected in the latest censuses by rural agents.
A fact that is due to the control and hunting plans carried out by the Cadí hunting association.
One of the modalities that is carried out there is selective hunting. A tool that serves to regulate the number of chamois in the Cadí area, as well as to improve the characteristics of its population. An end that they achieve by eliminating sick or deficient individuals.
However, the selection criteria are set by the technical director of the natural park. Local hunters who usually carry out this function must do so accompanied by wildlife rangers from the reserve, who know the territory and the animal species perfectly.
