Alpine ibex

The length of the horns helps to clearly distinguish between male and female: the buck’s horns can reach a length of about 1 meter, doe horns are only a third as long. In addition, bucks weigh about 70 kg – 120 kg while doe have a signifi cantly lower weight. The Alpine ibex uses its horns as a weapon in fi ght rituals and defence. It rears up on its hind legs before ramming its opponent with great force.

In the mid-19th century, the Alpine ibex was on the verge of extinction, primarily due to the demand for their curved horns and fur as coveted hunting trophies. The less than 100 individuals that remained were only found in the Gran Paradiso National Park in northern Italy. Conservation projects over the
years have allowed the population to recover. Today the species is no longer classifi ed as endangered.

Newborn kids are able to follow their mother on steep, rocky terrain after only about an hour after birth.