Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer el número de cabras asilvestradas existentes en la Serra da Capelada, su distribución, sexo y edad aproximada. El área de estudio, de unas 1.200 ha, está formado por cantiles costeros situados en el extremo norte de la provincia de A Coruña (Galicia, NO España). Para realizar el censo se fijaron puntos de observación, utilizándose binoculares de 10x42 y telescopio de 20-60x65 mm. La zona se dividió en 9 sectores, visitados en verano/otoño de 2008. Se distinguieron machos adultos, hembras y machos jóvenes e individuos del año, considerándose rebaños diferentes cuando estaban separados al menos 50 m, e identificándolos en función de características diferenciales del pelaje o de los cuernos de algunos individuos. Se detectó la presencia de cabras en 8 de los 9 sectores (95% del área de estudio). En total se contabilizaron 511 ejemplares, repartidas en 36 rebaños (14,19±10,01 ejemplares/rebaño), estimándose 39,2 ± 19,9 cabras/km2 y 2,9±1,7 rebaños/km2. El tamaño de los rebaños es similar en toda la zona de estudio. En una muestra de 23 rebaños (281 cabras), el 25% fueron machos y el 65% hembras. Los rebaños tienen una proporción de sexos muy variable, predominando las hembras en los menores de 5 individuos. Tan sólo se registró un 7% de jóvenes del año. La proporción de sexos y edad estimada, sugiere que podría tratarse de una población estable de cabras, cercana a su máximo de densidad. La captura esporádica de cabritos por parte de habitantes de la zona o por zorros, podrían ser factores a considerar para explicar dicha proporción. No se descarta la posible expansión de la población a zonas con una menor densidad.

Palabras clave: Capra hircus, población asilvestrada, censo, estructura poblacional.

Resumen: The aim of this project was to find out the number of wild goats which are living in Serra da Capelada coastal mountains, their distribution, sex and their approximate age. The study area, about 1200 ha, is made up of coastal cliff in the northern part of the province of A Coruña (Galicia, NW Spain). In order to have a census, some observation sites were set up, and binoculars of 10/42 and a telescope of 20-60/65mm were used. The area was divided into 9 sectors which were visited in the summer and autumn of 2008. Male adults, young males, females and yearlings were seen. When the animals were at least 50m apart from each other, they were considered to belong to different herds; they were identified by distinguishing characteristics such as their fur or horns. The presence of goats was detected in 8 of the 9 sectors, which is 95% of the area being studied. Altogether 511 goats were counted, divided into 36 herds: 14.19±10.01 goats/herd,
approximately 39.2±19.9 goats/km2 and 2,9 ±1,7 herds/km2. Only the 7% of the goats observed were yearlings. The size of the herds was similar throughout the whole area being studied. In a sample of 23 herds (281 goats), 25% were male and 65% female. The sex ratio in the herds varies quite a lot; in those with less than 5 goats females prevailed. The sex ratio and the age, suggests that there could be a stable population of goats, close to its maximum density. The sporadic capture of kids by either local inhabitants or foxes could be a factor to bear in mind when explaining the above-mentioned proportion. The possible expansion of the population into areas with a lesser density has not been ruled out.

Keywords: Capra hircus, census, coastal cliff, feral goats, NW Spain, structure population.

DOI: 10.7325/Galemys.2010.NEA12