Distribution of the Mezenc Marmots |
The Gandoulet site, on bottom of Mezenc |
History of the introduction of the marmots to MezencIn 1980, 11 adults and subadults alpine marmots were introduced in the botom of the Mezenc Massif, on the gandoulet site (elevation 1350 m). This site is located in the Rhone Basin, with a South exposure and scree slopes. Marmots were trapped by rangers of the National office of Hunting and of the National parks, in Savoy (Alps). They came from different family groups. Animals were not identified with markings and any artificial burrows were prepared.Four re-inforcements were carried out on this site, 15 marmots in 1983, 12 animals in 1985, 5 in 1986 and 10 in 1987. However, in 1984, no marmot was installed on this site, but three other sites were colonized close to springs, to 1400 m of altitude and respectively to 3600, 3750 and 6900 m of the site of release. In 1989, whereas eleven family groups were already installed (9 in the Mediterranean part and 2 in the Atlantic part), 32 additional marmots were released in a large scree in the Atlantic Basin, 6 km of the first site of release. Since, a family group continues to occupy this site.
Thus, the marmot introduction Mezenc included two releases in sites without marmots (either 43 animals) and nine reinforcements between 1983 and 1991. On the whole, 108 marmots were transported and released in Mezenc. The current marmot population of Mezenc results thus from these 108 marmots released between 1980 and 1991. |
Citation : Distribution of the Mezenc Marmots - © 2010, Le Berre M., Metral J. (ONCFS) & Ramousse R. 
Last modification: 2010-03-21 13:49:14