Description of a Sarcoptic Mange Outbreak in Alpine Chamois Using an Enhanced Surveillance Approach.

ABSTRACT: Since 1995, the Alpine chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) population of the Dolomites has been affected by sarcoptic mange with considerable management concerns. In this study, 15 years (2006-2020) of passive surveillance and demographic data were analyzed in order to describe a mange outbreak. Furthermore, an enhanced passive surveillance protocol was implemented in order to evaluate the efficiency of ordinary vs. enhanced surveillance protocol in identifying dead chamois in the field and in reaching a correct diagnosis. Our results confirm the role of mange as a determining factor for chamois mortality, while stressing the importance of a wider view on the factors affecting population dynamics. The enhanced passive surveillance protocol increased the probability of carcass retrieval

SUBMITTER: Obber F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9405409 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature