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Male ibex grazing

For guaranteed ibex viewing, try the immediate surroundings of Rifugio Vittorio Sella in Valnontey. There on a typical late summer's evening the young males are silhouetted on high ridges clashing horns in mock battle in preparation for the December mating season. (In December it is anything but pretend with the females only on heat for 24 hours.) Meanwhile sedate older males graze unperturbed, ignoring onlookers, some distance from small herds of timid females with their young. High rocky terrain acts as a stage for their unbelievable acrobatic displays, although they shift around in search of grass and can even be seen on valley floors in spring. In midwinter the herds retreat to high altitudes, carefully choosing south-facing slopes to increase the chances of snow slipping downhill and revealing the vegetation they need to feed on.

Chamois, on the other hand, Rupicapra rupicapra, can also be seen in woods as well as the high rocky outcrops. Another type of mountain goat, the chamois is slender and daintier than the ibex, with shorter hooked horns and white patches on its face and rear. A recent count recorded 7700 chamois in the park. Their principal predators are foxes and eagles but long snowy winters take the greatest toll on both the ibex and the chamois populations. Walkers of either sex may be surprised to hear reticent lone males whistling at them to mark their territory.