The human dimension that favours the unnatural expansion of an exotic ungulate (Ammotragus lervia) througout the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

Presence of the aoudad, Ammotragus lervia, in the Iberian Peninsula is shown, including both free-ranging populations and those in game reserves reported to be currently hosting the species. It has been confirmed that this caprinae is present, with certainty, in 10 Spanish provinces and we can suspect that it is present in three more. There are two factors wich could have encouraged a rapid expansion of this species through the whole of the Iberian Peninsula: (i) it has a great adaptation potential to new environments, and (ii) human translocations facilitate and accelerate the expansion and colonization processes of the aoudad. The human dimension is discussed as barrier to any potential control programs.