AND OFF THEY WENT!

Last summer, four young ibexes, two from Alpenzoo Innsbruck and two from Hellabrunn Zoo in Munich, were released into the mountain world of the Stubai Alps near the Franz-Senn-Hütte in the Oberberg Valley.

Even though it is just a split second when the animals are released into the wild, it was still a joyful moment for everyone involved. The release of the four young ibexes last summer was the conclusion of an elaborate process in which the animals are intensively prepared for their life in the wild by animal keepers from Hellabrunn and Alpenzoo zoos. Before the journey to Oberberg Valley could begin, the animals were accustomed to the transport crates with special training and medically examined. Being in good health is a prerequisite for their step into freedom. The actual release into the wild only took a few minutes – the four ibexes, one buck and one goat in pairs, disappeared into the misty bushes and scree fields of the steep mountain slopes in no time at all. Two of the four ibexes are equipped with a transmitter collar so the radius of movement can be determined by GPS. The animals are also chipped and marked with an ear tag. This makes them easy to see even with binoculars.

Ideal Habitat

The reintroduction site in the immediate vicinity of the Franz-Senn-Hütte at 2,145 metres is part of the Österreichische Bundesforste’s hunting ground area. The surrounding peaks tower over 3,000 metres above sea level. This high alpine area provides a habitat for around 60 Alpine ibexes as well as chamois, marmots, snow hares, golden eagles and many other bird species.

Alpenzoo Has A Lot Of Experience

Alpenzoo Innsbruck has been successfully releasing Alpine ibexes into the wild at various locations in the Alps for many years. Hellabrunn Zoo participated in this project again for the first time in many years. The Alpine ibex was almost extinct by the mid-19th century. However, conservation and reintroduction projects have led to the population recovering.