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Динамика изолированного поселения Spermophilus Suslicus (Rodentia, Sciuridae) в Липецке (Европейская Россия), его перспективы и роль в сохранении вида
Spermophilus suslicus is a threatened species listed in Red Data Books at all levels (from regional Red Data
Books to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species), and it currently requires special conservation activity.
Over the past 30–50 years, its range has changed from continuous to mosaic, and its population has declined
everywhere. In 2015, in Russia experimental studies started being devoted to the Spermophilus suslicus reintroduction
with the use one of the largest remaining wild colonies at the Kosyrevskoe cemetery (Lipetsk
town vicinity, European Russia) as a source of animals. The present study attempts to assess the long-term
dynamics of this colony and its prospects. Based on the long-term monitoring using visual counts along a
permanent route, the number of animals in the colony was calculated each year after their emerging from hibernation and after the end of the breeding season. We also assessed the dynamics of tree overgrowth within the studied territory, and we have summarised data on the removal of animals for further relocation based on literature. During the monitoring period (2007–2024), two stages are clearly distinguished: stably high abundance (until 2018) and stably low abundance (since 2019). The sharp population decrease occurred because of a single effect, rather than as a result of gradual changes in habitat conditions or the capture of animals for re-introduction activities. However, the expected increase in number after the crisis has not yet occurred despite continuing active reproduction. At the current population size level, the colony remains viable in the long-term perspective, but is much less resistant to various external forces. The strict control on the removal of animals for re-settlement, in particular, excluding the capture of adult individuals during the breeding season, is the only way to conservate the wild colonies of Spermophilus suslicus.