Wildlife - Flora & Fauna

The Vanoise National Park is home to abundant wildlife. It is most famous for the ibex (bouquetin).

At the creation of the Vanoise National Park in 1963 there were probably only about 50 ibex left to be found above the villages of Modane and Termignon in the Maurienne valley. Thanks to re-introduction and the protection afforded to them in the national park there are between 6,000 and 8,000 individuals.

A male ibex can weigh up to 100kg and is between 75 and 90 cm in height. It's horns can grow up to 1m and are ribbed. The female ibex, also known as an "etagne". The young ibex in their 2nd year are known as "eterlou" or "eterle". The new born ibex in their first year of life are known as "cabri".

 

Birds of prey include the Golden Eagle (c. 20 pairs), Beard Vulture (but not yet breeding in the park) Ptarmigan, Black Grouse, Rock Partridges, Eagle Owls, Tengmalm's owls, Black Woodpeckers, Three-Toed Woodepeckers (only present in Savoie and Haute-Savoie, France), Rock Thrush, Pied Flycatchers, Wall Creepers, Crossbills, Rock Sparrows and Nutcrackers. There are approximately 120 species of birds in the Vanoise National Park.

 

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