Capra pyrenaica
the Pyrenean Ibex
Biogeographical Data
These animals lived on the Iberian Peninsula. They were commonly found in the Pyrenees Mountains, the Cantabrian Mountains, and France. They fed on grasses, herbs, and forbs. They are thought to have a population of around 50,000 but in the early 1900s it is believed that there were fewer than 100. The Pyrenean Ibex would migrate to the valleys in the winter and the high mountain slopes in the summer. The females would try to find iscolated locations to give birth to the young.
Possible ways to have Prevented This
Laws could have been set up, stating that killing these animals was against the law. This would have possibly helped slow down the poaching rate. Also, if anyone saw one of these animals and it looked injured they should have been urged to call animal rescue or taken the animal to a vet.
Causes of Extinction
Poching
These animals were large trophy animals for hunters.
Inability to Compete
These animals had a hard time competing for habit and the food resources that they needed to survive.
Diseases
These animals could come in contact with diseases but would not be treated for them. This also played a part in their extinction.
Discovered in 1838 and went extincted in 2000
Extra Information
These animals were not very big. They were 24 to 30 inches high up to the shoulder. Scientist are trying to de-extinction these animals. They have succfussly completed a cloning one time. Sadly, the clone died 7 minutes after birth. It died because of lung failure. This made the scientist hopeful that one day these animals will soon be de-extinctionized.
Bibliography
"Pyrenean Ibex." About.com Education. Web. 18 Feb. 2016.
"Support the." Capra Pyrenaica (Iberian Wild Goat, Pyrenean Ibex, Spanish Ibex). Web. 18 Feb. 2016.
Email: kailtynsmith@fisdk12.org
Website: pyreneaibex.com