European moose in the forest areas of South Ukraine

Abstract

The paper is based on the research carried out in 1976–2015. The data were collected from visual records of animals in different areas of the steppe zone: on permanent plots, during expeditions and with observers in helicopter and plane. It allowed wider coverage with analysis of moose habitat distribution (n = 651), the structure of herds (n = 346) and dynamics. Twenty-two females were dissected to assess their reproductive state, and 36 broods were analyzed to assess fertility. Observations of mortality (n = 111) were conducted with clarifying the causes. The materials of the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine were used to analyze the number dynamics.