
The north of Odesa Oblast, as well as the whole Northern Black Sea Region and southern areas of Podillia do not belong to the current range of the steppe marmot, which is distributed mainly in the east of Ukraine, although successful attempts of introduction took place in these regions. The dispersal of the steppe marmot, Marmota bobak, in the north of Odesa Oblast occurred in 1979–1980. The Stepanivskyi Nature Reserve (later its status was changed to hunting grounds of Ivanivka Village Council) was created in the territory of three villages of Liubashivka Raion, which became entirely unpopulated, in which roe deer, pheasants and marmots were relocated. The first steppe marmots were brought here in summer 1979 from Askania Nova, although part of the animals did not survive the heat and transportation, while the others could not acclimatize. The second group of marmots was transferred from Luhansk Oblast (then Volosylovhrad Oblast) in autumn 1979. The absence of natural enemies and careful attitude of people from neighbouring villages allowed marmots increasing in number from 25 animals in 1980 to 415 in 2010, although later a population decline occurred. Many marmots died because of burning of reed and dry grass. The appearance of a large number of foxes also affected the colony’s abundance and migration of surviving marmots closer to humans. The preying of kites on young marmots was also an important factor affecting the population. In 2013, the abundance of the marmot colony was only 50 specimens and the species extinction was expected in case of further existence of influencing factors. Therefore, in 2013, measures were taken in order to support and restore the steppe marmot colony, which as of 1 December 2016 consisted of ca. 500 specimens, while in early 2019 there number was 1700. Management experience shows that correctly planned measures on maintaining local populations along with regulation of preying demonstrate a sufficient and constant increase, which allows expecting further population growth. The “Lubashivka colony” of steppe marmots currently is stable thus we can consider the species present in the fauna of Podillia.
podillia, QL1-991, anthropogenic influence, steppe marmot, marmota bobak, artificial colony, Zoology
podillia, QL1-991, anthropogenic influence, steppe marmot, marmota bobak, artificial colony, Zoology
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