A species on the brink
By the early 19th century, the Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) had been hunted to near-extinction across the entirety of its mountain range. The introduction of firearms in the 16th century accelerated their decline. Hunters pursued them for their meat, but also for mystical and medicinal beliefs attached to their bodies—powdered horn was thought to be an antidote to poison, and other parts were believed to have curative powers. This intense pressure eradicated the ibex from Switzerland, Germany, and Austria by the 1800s. The world's last remaining population, numbering fewer than 100 individuals, survived only in the Gran Paradiso area on the border of Italy and France.
This tiny remnant population is the genetic source for every Alpine ibex alive today. In 1821, the government of Piedmont banned ibex hunting, and in 1854, Italy's King Victor Emmanuel II designated Gran Paradiso a royal hunting reserve. This royal protection, ironically intended to preserve the king's private hunting stock, saved the species. The Vanoise massif, adjacent to Gran Paradiso in France, held a few dozen of these survivors. The idea for a French park to protect them emerged as early as 1943, directly inspired by the success of the Italian reserve. On July 6, 1963, Vanoise National Park was officially created, becoming the first national park in France. Its primary objective was the protection of the last French ibex.
Biological recovery and characteristics
From a population of about 40 to 60 individuals when the park was established, the Vanoise ibex herd has grown to approximately 2,000-3,000 animals. Together, Vanoise and the adjoining Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy form a protected area of 1,250 square kilometers, one of the largest in Western Europe. This success story allowed for reintroduction programs across the Alps; the total population now exceeds 50,000 individuals.
The Alpine ibex is a species defined by its mountain habitat. They live on steep, rocky terrain at elevations between 1,800 and 3,300 meters (5,900–10,800 ft). Their hooves are specialized for climbing, with sharp outer edges for grip and soft inner pads that act like rubbery brakes. Males, which can weigh up to 117 kg (258 lb), are significantly larger than females, which average 17–32 kg (37–71 lb). The primary feature of the males is their large, curved horns, which can grow up to a meter in length. These horns grow throughout their life, and the age of an ibex can be estimated by counting the annual growth rings. Females live longer than males, with lifespans of around 20 years compared to the males' 16 years.