The Alpine ibex of L’Alpe du Lauzet

L'Alpe du Lauzet on the edge of the Massif des Cerces is the favourite wintering place for a colony of Alpine ibex. In 1959, when there were only ten animals left in France (in Vanoise), six Alpine ibex, four males and two females, were reintroduced from Switzerland, first to Le Combeynot on the right bank of the Guisane, then to Les Cerces. These six individuals multiplied and the total population has now reached around 300. While their territory is restricted in winter to save as much energy as possible and make the most of the sunny slopes, they are scattered in summer over all the mountain range and as far as neighbouring groups that they have gradually blended in with.