18 December 2024
We are pleased to announce that the NZDA Board has awarded a Research Grant to support an international study on Chamois Horn Rot—a condition impacting chamois populations in New Zealand and alpine regions abroad.
Led by Francesco Formisano, a veterinarian specialising in wildlife pathology, the project will adopt a citizen science approach, engaging hunters and conservationists to collect vital field data. This collaborative effort spans New Zealand, Italy, and France, reflecting NZDA's dedication to fostering global partnerships in wildlife research and conservation.
Richard Wells, Research Lead on the NZDA Board of Directors said;
“Our research projects over the last several years’ have covered a range of aspects regarding game animal management. This Chamois horn rot proposal is very pleasing to advance because it strikes at understanding an explicit problem regarding trophy value, harnesses and uses hunter collected data (which we as a sector need to become more skilled at) and finally is linked collaboratively to international research where this same problem is both of concern and interest.”
Horn rot has been observed since the 1990s but remains poorly understood. Francesco and his research team will analyse environmental and epidemiological factors contributing to the condition, while sharing updates and findings with the NZDA community throughout the project.
We are proud to support this critical initiative and encourage our members and all chamois hunters to participate actively, ensuring we contribute to a better understanding of our alpine species.
Stay tuned for updates via the NZDA website and newsletters, and join us in congratulating Francesco on receiving this grant! This project will be launched in the New Year to collect data.
Photographed: Chamois buck 2024, Mark Heath, Wellington NZDA, in Adams Wilderness, West Coast. This buck was 11 years old. The longer hook was nearly 10 inches, but the right horn had horn rot as is missing. How common is this?
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