Annual fires in the Volga Delta negatively affect the inhabitants of the Astrakhan Nature Reserve

Employees of the Astrakhan Nature Reserve conducted winter route surveys on the tracks of mammals in this natural area and assessed the state of the populations of local inhabitants.

"Specialists of the Astrakhan Nature Reserve also noted that fires, which are raging more and more every year in the Volga Delta, generally negatively affect mammals: the protective properties of land are significantly reduced, animals cannot hide from predators in scorched territories, forage and breed offspring. As a result, representatives of the fauna of the reserve are concentrated in areas that have not been affected by fires, which negatively affects the epidemiological situation," the message on the Wildlife of Russia portal says.

Experts compared the data of the latest accounts with the figures for last year.

Thus, the number of wolves in all areas of the reserve amounted to nine individuals – slightly higher than the previous year. "The predator population has been positively affected by low-water years, as wolves prefer dry habitats," the report says.

In the Damchik section of the reserve, the number of foxes and hares has increased, while in the Obzhorovsky and Trekhizbinsky sections it has decreased slightly.

At the same time, experts noted the high number of jackals in all three areas of the reserve, but it increased most significantly in Damchik.

In addition, scientists managed to record traces of wild boars at the Damchik and Trekhizbinsky sites.