The elk (Alces alces L.) as a part of former and modern fauna of the Sumy region: changes of number and its causes

• Published in: Proceedings of the Theriological School
• Main Author: Oleksandr Kovalchuk
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; Russian; Ukrainian
• Published: National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. National Museum of Natural History 2010
• Subjects: elk; changes of number; ungulates; mammal fauna; sumy region; ukraine; Zoology; QL1-991; Alces alces
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.15407/ptt2010.10.128; https://doaj.org/article/ec9ef3ef666e4c8ba27b4ba8e719f787

The phenomenon of sharp reduction of number of elk in the Sumy region throughout last 20 years was investigated. On the basis of the found fossil osteological material and historical sources it is established, that this species of hoofed animals exists in investigated territory since Late Pleistocene and till our time. Principal cause of reduction of a livestock of elk is poaching against the natural recession of number. Question on necessity of entering of elk to the Red book of Ukraine was brought up.