A mountain acrobat

Slovenians have long been drawn to the mountains, with summer bringing throngs of visitors to alpine trails and peaks. Yet even during the height of the tourist season, there are paths where one can walk for hours without encountering another person. Occasionally, mountain goats, known locally as gams, offer company, along with chamois, ibex, and curious marmots. As hikers pass over written signs marking alpine flora, they might wonder if they’ve stumbled upon the remnants of the mythical kingdom of Zlatorog, the golden-horned goat from folklore. The gams, or mountain goat, has deep cultural significance in Slovenia. Vladimir Kapus described it in 1930 in Ilustrirani Slovence as a creature steeped in tradition. In rural areas, elders often recount tales of hunting these animals, attributing them with mystical healing properties. The legend of Zlatorog, a white goat with golden horns guarded by white women, remains a cherished part of Slovenian heritage. Physically, the gams is well-adapted to its rugged environment. Standing up to 80 centimeters tall and measuring around 135 centimeters in length, the animal’s weight fluctuates throughout the year. Males typically weigh more than females, reaching up to 50 kilograms in autumn before shedding some mass in other seasons. Their coat changes color with the seasons, reddish-brown in summer and darker, thicker fur in winter. A distinctive dark stripe runs from the forehead through the eyes. Both males and females possess curved horns, which grow continuously throughout their lives. These horns develop significantly in the first three years, adding about 20 centimeters annually, though growth slows considerably after that. Annual rings formed during winter help determine the age of the animal. The life cycle of the gams follows seasonal patterns. During summer, they graze high above the forest line, feeding on grasses and herbs. They remain active all day, avoiding the steepest slopes. In winter, they descend into the forests, where food is more accessible and shelter from wind and snow is available. Females live in groups with their young, while older males tend to be solitary. Mating occurs in November and December, during which time males engage in fierce battles for dominance and access to females. Territories are marked with secretions from special glands, and males fiercely defend these areas. During this period, they consume less food and can lose nearly a third of their body weight. Offspring are born in May or June, usually one per litter. Mothers choose isolated spots away from the group to give birth, returning with the calf after a few days. Calves quickly learn to follow their mothers, even navigating exposed rocky terrain within hours of birth. Mountain goats rely heavily on sight, smell, and hearing to detect danger. When threatened, they communicate through loud whistles, grunts, and stamping their hooves on the ground. Predators such as wolves and lynxes pose a threat, as do birds of prey like eagles, which sometimes target young calves. Internal parasites and infectious diseases also contribute to mortality rates. In the 1970s, the population of gams in Slovenia declined sharply due to disease outbreaks. Other threats include blindness in some individuals and deaths from falls. Despite these challenges, the species continues to thrive in the alpine regions of Slovenia, including the Julian Alps, Karawanks, and the Karst Plateau.