Valutazione dello status di una popolazione di marmotta alpina (marmota marmota) nel parco nazionale dello Stelvio

Abstract

The collection of data of the health and wellbeing status of a population is always a great challenge that must consider a remarkable number of variables and indicators. This becomes even harder in the analysis of a wildlife population studied in their own environment. This project has monitored the condition of an alpine marmot population (Marmota marmota) in the region of Lombardia, in the Stelvio National Park. The project started in 2018 and ended in 2019. Specifically, in the period between May and June of each year, about twenty traps have been placed in the area close to the marmot’s dens with the purpose of trapping and studying the animals. First, the alpine marmots were given an ear tag and a subcutaneous chip, then we registered the biometric and physiological measurements. Blood, feces and hair samples were collected, as well as further information about the docility of the animal, or the presence of alopecic lesions, etc. The biometric measurements allowed us to evaluate the growth of individual specimens and the physical features of the population. They also provided new guidelines for the improvement of the trapping process and the treatment of animals. The parasitological analyses have showed some preliminary information on the distribution of parasites in the analyzed population. The blood test has allowed us to evaluate the leukocyte formula of the subjects. Finally, the heart rate and the percentage of neutrophils, plus the hair samples and the degree of alopecia were considered indicators of an acute, subacute, and chronic stress within the population.