THE DYNAMICS OF THE ATTENDANCE OF MINERAL LICKS BY REINDEER IN THE MOUNTAIN PART OF THE "KUZNETSKII ALATAU" NATURE RESERVE
Based on photo trapping data, we estimated the attendance of mineral licks by reindeer in the mountain tundra of the “Kuznetsky Alatau” Nature Reserve. We analyzed 15877 pictures taken from January to September. We revealed obvious seasonal dynamics in the attendance of mineral licks by reindeer: animals visited mineral licks from mid-April to mid-September, most often in July. The maximum time the animals spent at a mineral lick was in April. We also found obvious patterns in reindeer daily activity: the animals visited mineral licks most often in the morning, the least often at night. However, it is in the night that the animals stay at a mineral lick much longer than at any other time.