A curious glimpse …
Young Alpine Ibex near the mountain ridge of the Niederhorn in the Bernese Alps, Switzerland.
The Ibex is a species of wild goat that lives in the mountains of the European Alps. They tend to live in steep, rough terrain near the snow line. Historically it ranged through France, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Bavaria, Austria and Slovenia. Starting in the early 16th century and with firearms becoming common, the overall population declined due to overexploitation and poaching. The ibex became extirpated in Switzerland and Germany by the 18th century, and was extirpated in Austria and northeastern Italy by the 19th century. With its protection beginning in the early 20th century the total population of Alpine ibex today is over 30,000 and is considered to be of Least Concern by the IUCN. They are now found in most or all of the Italian and French alpine ranges, southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria. It has also been introduced to Bulgaria and Slovenia (Wikipedia).
A curious glimpse …
Young Alpine Ibex near the mountain ridge of the Niederhorn in the Bernese Alps, Switzerland.
The Ibex is a species of wild goat that lives in the mountains of the European Alps. They tend to live in steep, rough terrain near the snow line. Historically it ranged through France, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Bavaria, Austria and Slovenia. Starting in the early 16th century and with firearms becoming common, the overall population declined due to overexploitation and poaching. The ibex became extirpated in Switzerland and Germany by the 18th century, and was extirpated in Austria and northeastern Italy by the 19th century. With its protection beginning in the early 20th century the total population of Alpine ibex today is over 30,000 and is considered to be of Least Concern by the IUCN. They are now found in most or all of the Italian and French alpine ranges, southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria. It has also been introduced to Bulgaria and Slovenia (Wikipedia).