WILDLIFE IN THE ALPS 

A Gitzo Story By Aurelie Gonin

Of all the animal species found in the Alps, marmots, chamois and ibex are undoubtedly the most emblematic. They live at medium altitude, between forests and glaciers, inhabiting alpine meadows and rock faces. They can be found in all the Alpine massifs, but due to the large scale of ski resorts and the over-frequentation of the mountains, they are mainly concentrated in nature reserves and national parks, as here at Gran Paradiso in Italy's Val d'Aosta.

They are adapted to harsh mountain climates, but winter remains a difficult season for them. Snow makes travel tiring, food harder to find and avalanches can sweep them away. To escape these tough months, marmots hibernate in burrows, surviving on fat reserves built up in the autumn. They don't emerge until the first warmth of spring, when the snow begins to melt. Temperatures are rising, but it's a season when snow still covers much of the mountain territory, and it's not uncommon to see snowfalls alternating with periods of warmth.

Chamois come down to protect themselves from winter in the forests, where there is less snow than in the alpine meadows, to feed on small shrubs and ivy. They are easily distinguished from other cervids by their small, pointed black horns, which they keep for the rest of their lives. On the other hand, males and females look very much alike. In spring, they enjoy the first fresh grasses in the valleys, but soon move up to their high-altitude habitat, where they eat mountain flowers and alpine clover.

More massive than chamois, ibexes are easily recognized by the imposing horns of their males. Females and young can be mistaken for chamois because their horns are shorter, but their coats are lighter. In spring, they change from their winter to their summer coat. The shape and grip of their feet give them great dexterity on rock faces, where they live and move with an agility that leaves climbers dreaming.

The species almost disappeared in the nineteenth century due to hunting, but fortunately the King of Piedmont-Sardinia banned it in 1821 and created the Gran Paradiso reserve, now a national park. Reintroductions in France, where the species had almost disappeared, were made possible thanks to these Valle d'Aostan ibexes. Now a protected, not shy species, it's a pleasure to observe and photograph as you climb to higher altitudes. 

Aurelie's gear

To bring out the best in your wildlife photography expeditions, choosing the perfect equipment is crucial.