To the people of Cyprus the moufflon is as familiar as the kivvi birds is to New Zealanders or the kangaroo is to Australians it has appeared on stamps and coins and a stylised version of it is used by the national airline.
The Cyprus moufflon,or `agrino`, as it is known in Greek, is actually a type of wild sheep that combines the beauty of a deer and agility of a goat. Other varieties exist throughout the Mediterranean region as well as in Europe and the Middle East, but they are not the same and scientific tests have shown marked differences from its mainland relatives in the make-up of its blood and chromosomes.
A sleek short haired animal of imposing beauty, the male has large spiral sibkle-shaped horns and weighs around 35 kilos, and the female is slightly at around 25 kilos. The colouring is light brown with a pale underside and an almost black stripe marking the head, back and short tail, which allows it to blend perfectly into its forest habitat.
The moufflon’s sure-footedness makes it a perfect inhabitant of the mountainous Pafos Forest, which covers 60,000 hectares in the west of the island. If you’re driving or walking in this area, keep your eyes and ears open and you may just be lucky enough to spot one or even a small herd. They are very timid. At the slightest indication of something amiss they stand absolutely still and it’s virtually impossible to see them even if you have pinpointed exactly where they are standing. At the slightest indication of danger, a loud sneeze of alarm will be heard and the entire herd will vanish in a matter of seconds up an almost sheer mountainside.
Sadly, even the moufflon’s swiftness could to little to save it from being hunted almost to extinction in the 1900s. By 1938 only 15 to 20 animals remained in Cyprus and strict measures had to be enforced to preserve the species.
The government of that time took the far-sighted decision of declaring the Pafos Forest a Game Reserve and excluded all goats (competitors for food) and goatherds (potential hunters) from the area. In 1945, in order ensure the animals could survive and reproduce in safety, it was decided to build a protective enclosure for them next to the are’s main forest station at Stavros tis Psokas.
The decision was a good one it worked. There was renewed interest in the plight of what was by then being considered as the `national` animal. The public became aware of its fight for survival. In 1967 the Government of Cyprus signed the `Form of Acceptance of Ultimate Responsibility of Rare Wildlife Species` for the moufflon, pledging to ensure the species survival and wellbeing.
Tremendous efforts have been made since then-and the moufflon has survived . Alhough no one can cite numbers with certainty, they are now estimated to be at around 3000. In other countries, helicopter counts have been put into effect but , in Cyprus , the thick vegetation of the moufflon’s habitat limits the accuracy of this method.
To further ensure the moufflon’s security, another enclosure was built near Troodos at Platania, allowing those who would like to take a closer look at these coy creatures the chance to do so without disturbing their peace.
Farmers claim that the increase in the number of moufflon and their incursions in the farmlands, make them a nuisance . So , could history repeat itself and the threat from hunters be revived? It is extremely unlikely, as their future is in safe hands. The Forestry Department of Cyprus clearly specifies that the moufflon is an endangered species and will be protected at all coasts.
A single mistake could prove to be fatal in reducing the numbers drastically again and circumstances beyond our control, such as disease or Forest fires could be enough to wipe out the moufflon population completely. Therefore, everyone-experts and non-experts alike, must work towards securing the future of this beautiful animal, which has become such a source of national pride.
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Tags: cyprus moufflon, cyprus troodos, endemic mountain, moufflon paphos, mountain flora, troodos natura, troodos wild life