Münchener Tierpark Hellabrunn : Hellabrunn Zoo's Alpine ibex successfully released into the wild

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Copyright: Tierpark Hellabrunn

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The journey from Munich to the Oberbergtal valley started early in the morning. Upon arriving in the Alps, the two mountain ungulates travelled the final leg of the trip on a goods cable car - a 400 m elevation gain from the Oberriss Alm restaurant car park to the Franz Senn Hut at 2,145 m above sea level. The animals were released in the immediate vicinity of the mountain hut, which is part of a conservation area of the Austrian Federal Forestry Office. The high alpine region is known for its impressive peaks, the highest of which are 3,000 m, and is home to around 60 Alpine ibex as well as chamois, marmots, mountain hares, golden eagles and many other bird species. As of this month, there will be two more Alpine ibex from Munich and two from Innsbruck. The release into the wild is important for reintroduction programmes and contributes to genetic refreshment of the population.

Two of the four ibex are equipped with a GPS transmitter collar, which will give researchers a better understanding of their movement radius. The animals have also been chipped and marked with an ear tag. This means that they can easily be spotted with binoculars. Prior to their release into the wild, the zookeepers at Hellabrunn prepared Urs und Uwe for the journey back to the Alps by giving them crate training to help them relax during transport. They were also fed a wide variety of food so that they can recognise and find them in the Alps.

The actual release into the wild took just a few minutes. Within a short time, the four ibex, two pairs comprising a buck and a doe, disappeared into the misty bushes and scree fields of the steep mountain slopes. In the coming weeks and months, the animals will adapt to their new surroundings and the weather - so their fur will change and become thicker.

'We are very proud that the release into the wild went so smoothly and that we were able to actively participate in the protection of the species communities in our native habitats,' says Rasem Baban, zoological director of Hellabrunn Zoo. Verena Dietl, Chair of the Supervisory Board and Third Mayor, adds: 'Even though it is wonderful to live in our city - namely the zoo in Munich, I am delighted for the two ibex, Urs and Uwe, who will now live in the Oberbergtal valley, where they can contribute to the preservation of the Alpine ibex population. This release clearly shows how important zoos are for the preservation of biological diversity.'

With this conservation project, Hellabrunn Zoo participated in the release of Alpine ibex for the first time in many years. In the mid-19th century, the Alpine ibex was on the verge of extinction. However, conservation and reintroduction projects have enabled the population to recover.