The Pyrenean chamois Rupicapra pyrenaica (Spanish: rebeco or gamuza; Aragonese: sarrio
or Chizardo; Catalan: isard; French: izard), is an animal that various of the Lions' expeditions
have been fortunate enough to glimpse from time to time. It is a goat antelope that belongs
in the Caprinae subfamily of bovids together with sheep and goats. Chamois dwell not only
in the Pyrenees but also, as other subspecies, in the Cantabrian Mountains and the Apennine
Mountains.
For those who have yet to spot it, the chamois grows up to 80cm tall and has a winter coat of
black/brown with darker patches around the eyes and a summer coat of ruddy brown. At the
time, therefore, the Lions are on the prowl it is likely to be exhibiting elements of both the winter
and summer coats. Both males and females have backward-curved horns which are up to
20cm in length.
They are sure-footed and agile creatures and are found generally above 1,800 metres and up
to 3,000 metres during the warmer months having made migrations from the valley forests to
the more open alpine meadows. In late autumn and winter they return to lower altitudes and
have been observed as low as 1,100 metres but usually keep to the steeper slopes. It has been
noted that in recent years some populations have started to permanently inhabit forested areas.
They browse on grass, lichens and buds of trees.
The chief commercial significance of the chamois has always been its skin for the production
of 'shammy' leather, used for various purposes including, most familiarly, putting the final
touches to the ritual weekend cleaning of the family car. Along with other species of chamois it
was, as a result, hunted almost to extinction, especially in the 1940s and again in the 1960s.
The crisis was recognized and in 1996 it was assessed as 'endangered' and strict protection
measures and a programme of captive breeding and reintroductions were embarked upon and
were so successful that from 1990 the population in the Pyrenees increased markedly up to
2003. In 1989 the total number was estimated to be 15,500 and by 2003 this was estimated
to have grown to at least 53,000 – a fairly spectacular increase, given that compared with
other ungulates it has a low growth rate. It has a natural life expectancy of 20 years but the
mortality rate is high for animals older than 11 years. Although the only natural predators are
the brown bear and the golden eagle, which do not substantially affect numbers, there was a
decline in local populations in the Catalan Pyrenees between 2004 and 2006 following severe
mortality caused by two outbreaks of the viral diseases 'Pestivirus' and 'Queratoconjuvitis'. As
a consequence disease is now seen as the most important threat and has led to the suspension
of hunting in affected areas. Overall, the status of the chamois is now assessed as being 'of
Least Concern' in terms of the accepted criteria but nevertheless requiring ongoing conservation
measures to ensure its future survival.
In Spain as a whole, chamois occur in three National Parks, at least 10 natural parks and a
number of other reserves (not only in the Pyrenees) and in France in a number of protected
areas. In Spain and the Pyrenees generally, the chamois co-exist with domestic livestock and
no problems appear to arise from competition for food resources – indeed the presence of
domestic livestock is considered to benefit the chamois by maintaining young and good quality
forage which increases the carrying capacity of the territory. In France, however, competition
with livestock appears to be a limiting factor on population growth.
Other than within National Parks, the chamois populations are hunted, being a major game
species in Spain and of importance socially and economically as a source of rural livelihoods,
but hunting is carefully managed and revenue is returned to local communities. Hunting quotas
in Spain are set by regional governments and hunting is considered to be at a sustainable level.
In France, hunting is essentially a recreational and non-profit leisure activity with annual quotas
generally accounting for less than 10% of populations, which is also regarded as sustainable.
In the circumstances, Lions are kindly requested to refrain from slaying chamois on sight,
regardless of how short of rations they may be when trekking in the upper reaches.