Preserving Cyprus’ Endangered Moufflons: A Call for Non-Intervention
As the breeding season blooms across Cyprus, the sight of newborn moufflons in the Paphos forest and Troodos mountains has become a symbol of the island’s rich biodiversity. However, the game and fauna service is alerting the public to a critical issue: the misinterpretation of solitary moufflon lambs as being orphaned, leading to harmful human interventions.
Senior game and fauna service officer Nikos Kassinis explains that female moufflons often leave their young alone to graze and nurse, which is a natural behavior. Human interference, driven by a desire to help, can unfortunately have the opposite effect. Kassinis notes that such actions can cause the mother to abandon her lamb, leading to a life of captivity for the young animal.
Instances of people mistakenly removing what they believe to be orphaned lambs have led to these animals being placed in wildlife rehabilitation facilities. Here, they require intensive care, including bottle feeding every three hours, which ultimately renders them unable to return to the wild due to human dependency.
The stark reality is that moufflon lambs raised by humans have an 85 percent mortality rate within three months of release compared to those raised by their mothers. The game and fauna service advises against any intervention with newborn moufflons, as it can disrupt their development, attract predators, and prevent mothers from returning.
For those who encounter a newborn moufflon in the wild, it’s essential to assess its condition before considering any intervention. Signs of distress, such as continuous calling, excessive parasites, abnormal posture, or severe injuries, may indicate the need for assistance. In such cases, contacting wildlife services with detailed information is crucial.
The Cyprus moufflon (Ovis gmelini ophion) is an endangered subspecies unique to the island. Preserving their natural behaviors and habitats is vital for their continued survival. The public is encouraged to admire these creatures from a distance and refrain from intervening in their delicate lives.
