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Nature Conservation
The Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica)
Catalogue Number:  98
Stamp Design:  Vladimír Machaj
Stamp Engraving:  František Horniak from drawing by Martin Činovský
Date of Issue:  July 16, 1996
Printing:  Postal Stationery Printing House, Prague, Czech Republic
Print Technology:  Rotary-recess printing combined with recess printing
Print Run:  5,860,000
FDC Design:  Vladimír Machaj
FDC Engraving:  František Horniak
Cancellation Design:  Vladimír Machaj
Printing:  Postal Stationery Printing House, Prague, Czech Republic
Print Technology:  Recess printing from flat plates
FDC Print Run:  10,000

The Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica) is a mountain animal and a rare sub-species listed in the Red Book as an endemic form with a very restricted habitat (the High and Low Tatras) and population of about six hundred. In view of this it must be considered an endangered species and is protected by law. It is of particular importance as an indigenous example of Slovakia's fauna, and has a unique position as the only large herbivore among mountain fauna. It inhabits alpine and sub-alpine meadows in varied highland terrain, avoiding continuous forests and areas of dwarf pine, isolated sheer rock faces and sharp formations. Its natural enemies are the lynx and the rock eagle, and it is most susceptible to mange and blindness, common in the Alps. To maintain the purity of the race, breeding with specimens introduced into the Veľká Fatra and Slovak Paradise in recent decades must be prevented. The Tatra chamois is also at risk from increasing tourism and skiing.


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Year 1996
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