engleski

Altitude and age influence on wild boar body growth

This paper explores altitude influences on wild boar body growth that are of different age categories. The research encompasses seven hunting grounds that are divided into two research areas based on habitat characteristics and altitude: lowland and mountain hunting grounds. For this research 55 individuals in total were measured and categorized into three age groups. From birth until the end of first hunting year – Cubs ; Animals from age one until the end of second hunting year – Yearlings ; and all older than two years – Adults. Results show that in all three age groups, body growth was higher in animals culled in lowland in comparison to animals measured in mountain hunting grounds. Growth intensity or daily growth is somewhat higher in males in their first year. During the second year, higher growth intensity has been noted in females, while it is again higher in males during the third year of life. Based on conducted research it can be concluded that a certain influence of altitude on body growth definitely exists. This influence is present in all three researched age categories. Even though a statistical significance has not been determined, it can be seen that the altitude influence is greatest after the second year. Also, based on determined growth between different sexes, it can be concluded that, apart from altitude, some social characteristics of the species itself also influence body growth. Males, after reaching sexual maturity during their second year of life, are banished from the mother drove, which in the end results in somewhat weaker body growth when compared to females.

wild boar; body growth; altitude; hunting management

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