Page 50 - Annual Magazine 2018
P. 50

ANIMAL LIFE | MOUFLON





                                                                                                                                                                                                                          CHARACTER
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The Mouflon is a shy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          creature, preferring to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          stay hidden in the brush,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          venturing out only to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          nibble on edible plants
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          and trees.













                                                                                                                                                                                             Mouflon mating season is usually in autumn, and it is at this time
                                                                                                                        Τ
                                                                                                                                                                                             when the animals move in large herds of ten or twenty males and
                                                                                                                                                                                             females. By spring, the herds have broken up into smaller groups of
                                                                                                                                                                                             two to three animals, while some males even prefer to go it alone,
                                                                                                                                                                                             wandering the forest solo until it’s time again to search for a mate.

                                                                                                                                                                                             PROTECTING OUR HERITAGE
                                                                                                                                                                                             Mouflon once roamed across the Troodos and Pentadaktylos mountain
                                                                                                                                                                                             ranges in large numbers. However, the introduction of guns and
                                                                                                                                                                                             influx of hunters on the island, combined with the lack of a suitable
                                                                                                                                                                                             protection policy, caused a rapid decrease in the Mouflon population.
                                                                                                                                                                                             In the 1930s in particular, numbers dropped frighteningly low, and
                                                                                                                                                                                             only 15 wild Mouflon were left in the Paphos forest. The Mouflon had
                                                                                                                                                                                             become an endangered species.
                                                                                                                                           THE BEAUTY OF A DEER WITH THE AGILITY OF A GOAT
                                                                                                                                           pines, cedars, and the earthy aroma of the soil, one hopes to catch a  The Mouflons’ seasonal activity
                                                                                                                                           High in the Troodos mountain range, engulfed by the fresh scent of
                                                                                                                                           glimpse of the ever-elusive Mouflon. The ‘Ovis gmelini ophion’, or
                                                                                                                                                                                                   pattern is quite variable,
                                         IN SEARCH OF                                                                                      ‘Agrino,’ as it’s commonly known in Cyprus, is the island’s largest   as the animals move to the
                                                                                                                                           wild mammal, endemic only to these shores. The Mouflon is a shy
                                                                                                                                           creature, preferring to stay hidden in the brush, venturing out only
                                                    the elusive                                                                            to nibble on edible plants and trees. Its agile nature allows it to move   high peaks of the Tripilos
                                                                                                                                           very fast across steep slopes, making the Mouflon even harder to see,
                                                                                                                                           and almost impossible to approach.
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Mountains in Paphos.
                                   MOUFLON                                                                                                 SNEAK PEAK                                        Since then, the hunting law has been revised, and draconian measures
                                                                                                                                           Wildlife experts say that the best time for a Mouflon sighting is early
                                                                                                                                           in the morning, before the sun rises too high, while the forest is still
                                                                                                                                           quiet and mist drifts gently through the trees. Only then might an
                                                                                                                                           eager hiker catch a glimpse of the magnificent, muscular Mouflon as
                                                                                                                                                                                             A large part of the Paphos Forest has been declared a Nature Reserve
                                                                                                                                           he steps out to examine the morning air. A full-grown male can weigh   taken to ensure that the Mouflon is protected and continues to thrive.
                                                                                                                                           up to 35kg, but most impressive are the thick, curved horns that adorn   under Forest Law, and the entire area is now included in the European
                           The curly-horned Cyprus Mouflon is a type of wild sheep, native only to the remote                              his head, each reaching up to 55cm long. The proud Mouflon is truly a   network for protected areas, the ‘Natura 2000,’ forbidding the illegal
                                                                                                                                           breathtaking sight to behold, albeit fleetingly, before he tosses his head
                                                                                                                                                                                             hunting and poaching of these dignified animals.
                           mountainous regions of Cyprus. Declared a vulnerable species after years of being                               and flees once more, disappearing into the dense woods.
                             hunted, these large animals now reside peacefully deep in the Paphos Forest.                                                                                    THE SYMBOL OF CYPRUS
                                                                                                                                           MOVING WITH THE SEASONS                           Today, the Mouflon is no longer considered to be in any danger, and
                                                                                                                                           The Mouflons’ seasonal activity pattern is quite variable, as the animals   concerns for its disappearance have all but been eliminated. Indeed,
                                                                                                                                           move to the high peaks of the Tripilos Mountains in Paphos. This   the Mouflon is now held dear as an indispensable part of Cyprus’
                                                                                                                                           mountain range stands at an altitude of 1,362 meters and overlooks the   natural  heritage.  Its  unique  horned  figure  has  become  a  familiar
                                                    Story by Rachel Chrysostom                                                             Cedar Valley. In the winter time, when snow blankets their stomping   symbol for our island, having once adorned the entire fleet of Cyprus’
                                                                                                                                           grounds, the Mouflon migrate to lower pastures in search of food,   flag carrier airline, Cyprus Airways, and now prominently displayed
                                                                                                                                           even venturing outside the confines of the forest.   on the one, two, and five cent Cypriot Euro coins.

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