Characteristics of habitat conditions

In January and February 2019, the meteorological conditions in most of the BNT (Baikal Natural Territory) areas did not show anomalous deviations. The weather was characterized by rather low temperatures. In the northern regions of the BNT (Kazachinsko-Lensky, Kachugsky), the temperature dropped to –50 degrees and lower, in the southern regions it dropped to –35 degrees. At the end of March - beginning of April, the extreme daytime and nighttime temperature changes resulted in formation of ice crust. This adversely affected the survival of wild ungulate animals, as it contributed towards their death from predatory activity of wolves and poachers.

In 2019, spring came (including the breakup on rivers) in mid-April. Spill of flood waters did not significantly affect the state of wildlife populations. The spring period was distinguished by warm stable weather.

Meteorological conditions of the spring and summer period of 2019 were characterized by dry and hot weather in the most part of the region. Due to rare precipitation during the spring period (April-May), ground fires were widespread. The most significant damage from forest fires was caused to hunting grounds near-highway districts and the areas adjacent to Lake Baikal. Fires covered from 15 to 20 % of the forest area. The impact of fires adversely affected the fauna of the areas subject to pyrogenic exposure.

The period from June to July 2019 was noted for warm and dry weather, in most areas of the region there was a drought, which resulted in forest fires, the majority of which was registered in the northern areas of the region. Conditions were favourable for waterfowl and grouse birds’ breeding.

Late spring frosts were insignificant, the flowering of most species of berry-producing shrubs was satisfactory. The yield of berry shrubs (blueberries, bog blueberries and lingonberries) was rated as “poor” in the central and southern areas of the region.

The crop of seeds of cedar and Siberian dwarf pine in most areas of BNT was evaluated as “poor” or “average”.. Warm and wet weather in August had a positive effect on the yield of pore and plastic fungi.

In general, the feed situation for typical taiga species of game animals (sable, bear) in 2019 was evaluated as “poor”.

Amount of feed for most species of wild ungulates and hares (white hare, brown hare) in the snow-free period was high. This was provided with significant stocks of twigs (aspen, birch, willow) and grassy fodder (cereals, legumes), which concentrated in vast areas of overgrowing fire-sites and cuttings.

The mating period of elks, red deer and roe deer occurred within the expected timeframes.

In general, the autumn and winter period of 2019 in the BNT was snowy and cold. The first half of winter was not distinguished by strong and prolonged frosts. The air temperature in this period corresponded to mean annual indicators.

As before, high impact of anthropogenic factors, including hunting and industrial factors, on the habitat of wild animals in the BNT is observed. In Kazachinsko-Lensky District and in a number of other areas of BNT exploration and development of mineral deposits intensified, including oil and gas. Due to the anthropogenic factors, especially as a result of industrial forest felling, there is a reduction in the habitat area of typical taiga species of animals and birds (squirrels, wood grouse and hazel grouse). Other wild animals like foxes, on the contrary, expand their natural habitat. Sables are coping reasonably well with their habitat’s changing. Traces of this typical taiga animal are often observed in landscapes transformed by human (burning, felling, thinned-out wood).

• Ungulates
• Fur-bearing species
• Predators

• Ungulates
• Fur-bearing species
• Predators

Ungulates

Manchurian wapiti. It is one of the most common species of ungulate animals in the BNT. Manchurian wapiti adapts to habitat change better than elk. There is a slight trend towards an increase in the number of this species. In 2019, it was 26,385 individuals, which is 311 thousand individuals higher than the 2018 estimate (26074 individuals).

Wild boar. In recent years, the abundance of wild boars has been growing in the BNT. In 2019, it was estimated at 3,702 individuals, more than in 2018 (2,583 individuals).

Musk deer. It is one of the main subjects of commercial hunting. In 2019, an increase in the abundance of musk deer was registered - from 27,675 in 2018 to 30,412 individuals.

Roe deer. In 2019, the abundance of the species reached 49,671 individuals. In comparison with 2018, the abundance increased by 5,555 individuals.

Elk. Analysis of the information processed in 2019 showed that the number of this species decreased slightly within the BPT. In 2019, the post-harvest number of elk was 12020 individuals. In 2018, it was 12,431 individuals.

Wild reindeer. The Altai-Sayan population of the forest reindeer subspecies is listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation. Within the BNT, the habitat of these wild animals is registered only in its western part, in a limited area (Cheremkhovsky, Usolsky, Slyudyansky Districts). The abundance does not exceed a few dozen. based on the results of the state monitoring of hunting resources and their habitat in 2019 by the method of winter route accounting. traces of reindeer habitat in these areas are not recorded. the same results were noted in 2018. The main habitats of the Tuturo-Khandinsky (Baikal) population of wild reindeer within the BNT are located on the territory of the Kachugsky and Kazachinsky-Lensky districts, in a limited number it appears during autumn-winter migrations on the territory of the Osinsky district. the number of this group in 2019 is estimated at 1950 individuals, which is 589 individuals less than in 2018. At the same time, it should be taken into account that the reindeer is a herd animal and its distribution is uneven, so accounting for the number of this species probably gives a significant error.

Fur-bearing species

Squirrel. In 2019, the postharvest number of the species was estimated at 84,816 individuals, it is less than in 2018 (113,320 individuals).

Sable. This wild animal inhabits the lands of mountain-taiga type, but it is also found in other biotopes. The most livestock is concentrated in Kazachinsko-Lensky, Kachugsky Districts, as well as Cheremkhovsky, Olkhonsky, Shelekhovsky and Slyudyansky Districts. In 2019, the abundance of the species increased to 26,320 individuals (in 2018 - 23,756 individuals).

Arctic hare. It is a mass subject of amateur and commercial hunting. In 2019, the abundance of arctic hare amounted to 33,744 individuals, which is more than in 2018 (32,707 individuals).

Brown hare. The species distribution is limited mainly to the field and forest-steppe lands in the western part of the BNT. In 2019 the post-harvest abundance does not exceed 3107 individuals (in 2018 900 individuals).

Siberian weasel. In 2019, the animal abundance is estimated at 1,196 individuals, which is less than in 2018 (1,495 individuals).

Ermine. In the most part of the BNT, ermine resources are not fully utilized. The reports of hunting farms contain incomplete information on its harvest. In 2019, the post-harvest abundance was estimated at 2,743 individuals, which is more than in 2018 (2,000 individuals).

Fox. In 2019, the abundance of foxes was 4,128 individuals, in 2018 - 2,974 individuals. The fox is one of the main carriers of rabies. Reducing its number is a necessary preventive measure in the fight against this disease. In addition, the high abundance of this predator negatively affects the state of the grouse populations.

American mink, otter. Estimation of the mink and otter abundance is based on data from a hunter polls. According to their data, about 6,419 individuals of otter and 605 individuals of mink lived within the BNT in 2019. In 2018, the abundance was approximately 386 individuals of otter and 5,512 individuals of mink. The otter is listed in the regional Red Data Book. The mink is harvested in small quantities within the BNT.

Musk beaver. Just like the American mink, it is an acclimatized species. The musk beaver abundance varies greatly over the years, however, it remains a massive species. According to hunter polls, there were about 30,000 musk beavers in 2019, 20,000 individuals in 2018.

Badger. The main habitats of the badger are the southern and forest-steppe areas of the BNT. In 2019, the abundance was 2,266 individuals (in 2018 - 1,800 individuals).

Predators

Lynx The number of lynx is small. In 2019, its population was estimated at 695 individuals, which is 124 more than in 2018.

Bear. This wild animal is in a state of winter sleep during the WRC, so the main information about the state of the population is obtained from hunters and by mapping individual areas of bears. In 2019, the bear population was estimated at 3,970 individuals, in 2018 it was 3,625 individuals.

Wolf. The number of wolves according to the survey of hunters and the results of WRC is estimated at 1,309 individuals. The highest number of this predator is in Kachugsky and Kazachinsko-Lensky districts. The high number of wolves is explained by the barium fluoroacetate and leg-grabbing traps that have been introduced to regulate the number of predators. To reduce the negative impact of the wolf on the population of ungulate animals, to exclude the possibility of rabies foci in the Irkutsk region, it is necessary to reduce its number by 3-4 times.

Upland fowl

Wood grouse. In 2019, the post-field population according to the WRC was estimated at 78,102 individuals, which is 9,928 individuals less than in 2018. The limit on the production of capercaillie, as well as on other types of feathered game, was not established, the fishing load on the population is regulated by daily and seasonal production rates.

Hazel grouse. In 2019, the post-field population of this species is estimated at 346,960 individuals, lower than in 2018 (353,674 individuals). In commodity preparations does not arrive, as the sale of these products is not yet established. It is the main hunting resource for Amateur hunting.

Black grouse. Grouse hunting was banned for a long time. The formation of deposits, overgrowth of cuttings and harem deciduous young growth contributed to the growth of this species. In 2019, the post-field number of grouse according to the WRC was 180,833 individuals, which is lower than in 2018 (226,212 individuals).

White and tundra partridges. Both species live mainly in golcovyi and podgolcovyi areas of the Eastern Sayan and the Baikal mountains. Outwardly, these species are difficult to distinguish. No special accounting work is carried out to estimate the number of these species of birds. In 2019, the accounting work on the BPT traces of the habitat of these objects of the animal world are not marked.

Bearded (Daurian) partridge. For a long time hunting for the Daurian partridge in the Irkutsk region was prohibited. Since 2010, in connection with the restoration of the population, the bearded partridge has been excluded from the list of specially protected objects of the animal world and is currently the main hunting resource for Amateur hunting. It lives mainly within the Kachug and Olkhon districts. It is also found in Cheremkhovsky, Usolsky and some other areas. Significant concentrations of this wild bird are observed in some habitats. The total number of bearded partridge in 2019 was estimated at 36,913 individuals, lower than in 2018 (61 353 individuals).