VALUABLE SPECIES OF MAMMALS IN NORTHERN YAKUTIA

V.M. Safronov¹, E.S. Zakharov^1,2, L.P. Koryakina^2
1Institute for Biological Problems of Cryolithozone SB RAS, prosp. Lenina, 41, Yakutsk, 677980, Russian Federation
²Yakut State Agricultural Academy, ul. Krasil’nikova, 15, Yakutsk, 677007, Russian Federation

Summary. Northern Yakutia comprises the territories of 12 administrative districts situated beyond the polar circle and totaling 1,553, 200 km2. The major occupations of North Yakutian indigenous people are reindeer breeding and hunting. The primary hunting objects are reindeer (Rangiver tarandus L.), sable (Martes zibellina L.), and musk rat (Ondatra zibethica L.). Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus L.) and elk (Alces alces L.) are also important game animals. The population status of these species was estimated based on perennial studies. Reindeer number was estimated based on aerial surveys conducted in 1985-2009. The structural and reproductive parameters of northern taiga sable populations were estimated based on the analysis of 2210 skinless carcasses provided by hunters in 2002-2012. Of three tundra reindeer populations, the Lena-Olenek, the Yano-Indigirka and the Sundrun, only the Lena-Olenek population retained a significant resource potential of 95.4 thousand animals (2009). Elk population is low (no more than 50,000 animals) and is represented by 7 isolated groups. They differed in the capacity of the occupied area, population state and possibilities of its restoration. According to them, it is necessary to develop measures for population increase and protection of this species in Yakutia. Structural and reproductive characteristics of sable populations featured increased values. The portion of young animals was 56.0-57.4 % in the eastern part of the region, inhabited by introduced populations, and 69.3 % in the west, where the native population remained. The sable population within the studied period reached 250,000 animals with hunting rates up to 55-75 thousand animals per a year. Unlike sable, current Arctic fox hunting rates reduced twenty times, while those of musk rat – 2-4 times. This decline is the result of the change of hunter generation, significant labor input and insufficient promotion of this occupation.

Keywords: Yakutia, reindeer, sable, game species, population, age-sex structure.

Author Details: V.M. Safronov, D. Sc. (Biol.), chief research fellow (Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.); E.S. Zakharov, Cand. Sc. (Biol.), research fellow, assoc. prof. (Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.); L.P. Koryakina, Cand. Sc. (Vet.), head of department (Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.).

For citation: Safronov V.M., Zakharov E.S., Koryakina L.P. Valuable Species of Mammals in Northern Yakutia. Dostizheniya nauki i tekhniki APK. 2016. V. 30. No. 11. Pp. 88-93 (in Russ.).