In the first half of 2013 from January to March the populations of large and medium-sized mammals were monitored along the combined rail and motorway under construction - the Alpica-Service ski complex.

Also, in February-early March the annual winter track recording of wild animals was organized the results of which show a general reduction in the populations of the roofed and some predatory animals in the Adler rayon and in particular in the vicinity of the construction sites

In spite of the fact that the construction activities on this area have a noticeable impact on the population of large mammals (maral, wild boar, brown bear), their presence is still mainly determined by their annual biological cycles. Non-migratory species (predators and those dwelling in burrows) and species with special habitat (alpine chamois) tend to migrate to other calmer places because of the noise and human induced impacts. Being loyal to human presence, roe deer, as an indigenous species, shows seasonal migrations too, which influences the number of encounters in the vicinity of the combined rail and motorway construction. Due to the human presence on the construction sites there is a trend for an increase in the jackal population as a typical synathropic species. In spite of the critical state of the populations of European hare and Caucasian otter, individuals of these species still occur in the vicinity of the construction sites.

Wild boar - Sus scrofa attila Tomas, 1912

The observed low population of wild boar in the Adler rayon as a whole, and on the area under construction, in particular, seems to be associated with the past outbreak of African swine fever. By the winter track recording data the average population density is 0.6 individuals per 1000 hectares.

Maral - Cervus elaphus maral

During the survey of the northern slope of the Aibga ridge no signs and vestiges of maral were identified on the territory and in the vicinity of the construction sites. On a whole, according to the winter track recording, the population of this animal in the Adler rayon is no more than 150 individuals, the average density being 2.8 individuals per 1000 hectares.

Roe deer - Capreolus capreolus Lin., 1758

Roe deer is a common and quite numerous species among the roofed animals on this area. Thre is however a slight decrease in the roe deer population in the Adler rayon and in particular on the construction area. Based on the winter track recording, the total number of animals in the rayon has decreased by 20 individuals and the average population density is 3.2 individuals per 1000 hectares.

Brown bear - Ursus arctos caucasicus, Smirnov, 1916

When the survey was conducted on the area under construction, no signs and vestiges of brown bear were detected on the ski complex territory or in its immediate vicinity.

Wolf - Canis lupus Lin., 1758

Wolf vestiges are observed frequently, both in the vicinity and on the territory of infrastructure facilities, which is explained by high motor activity and ecological flexibility of this predator. Based on the winter track recording, the average population density of wolf is 0.3 individuals per 1000 hectares.

Jackal - Canis aureus Lin., 1758

Jackal's vestiges occur in the immediate vicinity of the infrastructure. Being a true synanthrope, this predator can get adjusted to increasing anthropogenic burden on this area. By the winter track recording data, the total jackal population in the Adler rayon is about 60 individuals, and the average density is 1 individual per 1000 hectares.

Fox - Vulpes vulpes caucasicus Dinnik, 1914

Fox is not a hibernating animal and is active in winter searching for food. The total number of foxes in the area did not change noticeably. Based on the winter track recording, the total population of foxes in the rayon has not changed much and the average density was not more than 1 individual per 1000 hectares.

Raccoon - Procyon lotor Lin., 1758

By the winter track recording, the total number of raccoons in the Adler rayon was no more than 60 animals, and the average density was 1.1 individual per 1000 ha. However, considering the raccoon biological features (dormancy), some of the animals may be left unaccounted.

Badger - Meles meles Lin., 1758

Badger is not abundant on the area and occurs primarily in the forest belt. Due to the biological features of badger (dormancy), the total population and average density of the species cannot be determined by the winter track recording technique.

Marten (Common marten - Martes martes Lin.,1758, Rock marten - Martes foina Exleben, 1777)

Marten is the most common species here. Marten's vestiges can be found everywhere all over the construction area and beyond. By the winter track recording data, the total number of martens in the Adler area 3 is about 100 animals and the average density is up to 2 individuals per 1000 hectares.

Caucasian wild cat - Felis silvestris caucasica

By the winter track recording data, the total population of wild cat in the Adler rayon as a whole and in the construction sites has not changed much. The average density of the population is 1.7 individuals per 1000 hectares.

European hare - Lapus europaeus Pallas, 1778

No encounters with European hare are related to the decrease in it population due to construction.

Caucasian otter - Lutra lutra meridionalis Ognev, 1931

Caucasian otter, being a rare species, can be encountered mainly on the floodplain of the river Mzymta.