LEMED-IBEX

Monitoring and management of the Alpine Ibex from Lake Geneva (Léman) to the Mediterranean

The Lemed IBEX project aims to improve the conservation of the ibex (Capra ibex) on the Alpine ridge between Italy and France, through shared management processes, such as the development of common monitoring protocols, genetic and health analyses, the definition and implementation of good species management practices, and the identification of suitable ecological corridors to ensure contact among the various subpopulations present in the study area. The project involves raising awareness and engaging socio-economic actors and local populations to mediate between conservation needs and the various uses of territorial resources.

The objectives of the LEMED-IBEX project are structured into 3 homogeneous groups of activities (work packages, WP):

• WP 2. Communication and awareness
• WP 3. Population status and conservation strategies
• WP 4. Ecological corridors and management knowledge

WP 2. Communication and Awareness. It includes awareness and information activities aimed at different audiences, from tourists to students, from socio-economic actors operating in the area (livestock breeders, tourism operators, guides, and attendants) to sector specialists. Communication is carried out through videos, specific educational programs for schools, and websites of the entities participating in the project.

WP 3. Population status and conservation strategies. Encompasses actions to identify risk factors for species conservation. It involves assessing health risks and analyzing genetic variability, factors that - combined with anthropogenic disturbances in ibex habitats - can negatively impact population resilience. Some populations, especially those reintroduced from a few individuals, have very low growth rates with pathologies and higher mortality levels compared to other populations. Analyses are conducted on biological samples collected from animals through non-invasive techniques. Starting from the data and monitoring methods currently used, the goal is to define a common monitoring method to be used among partners.

WP 4. Ecological corridors and management knowledge. Aims to identify and ensure the protection of potential ecological corridors that can allow species mobility to promote genetic exchange among subpopulations and the recolonization of more suitable territories. About 90 ibex specimens will be equipped with GPS collars to monitor their movements in the transboundary Alpine region, facilitating the evaluation of interconnection between populations. Spatial data acquired will be used to create an updated map of distribution and territories most suitable for species mobility.

In the protected area managed by the Ente Alpi Cozie, WP3 and WP4 actions will affect the population nuclei that have been reintroduced in the Val Troncea Natural Park and the Orsiera Rocciavrè Natural Park, in addition to the population nucleus in the Susa Valley near Rocciamelone.

The 2019 calendar of the Alpi Cozie Parks is dedicated to the LEMED-ibex project. You can download it in PDF format in the publications section.

Within the project, the educational proposal Ibex, where are you going? Genetics, GPS, and climate change has been developed and can be requested from the Entity.

The project led to the creation of an animated cartoon and several documentary videos of the activities:

• Animated cartoon "Ibex in the mountain"
• Project presentation video
• First episode #LemedIbex: "The ibex of the Alps," created as part of the Alcotra Lemed-Ibex project dedicated to ibex conservation.
• Second episode #LemedIbex: "Threats to the ibex species," produced within the Alcotra Lemed-Ibex project committed to ibex conservation.
• Third episode #LemedIbex: "Seasons of the ibex," created within the Alcotra Lemed-Ibex project committed to ibex conservation.
• Fourth episode #LemedIbex: "The genetic issue," produced within the Alcotra Lemed-Ibex project dedicated to ibex conservation.
• Fifth episode #LemedIbex: "Ecological corridors," created within the Alcotra Lemed-Ibex project committed to ibex conservation.

Contact people

Scientific reference: Luca Maurino - email: maurino@alpicozie.eu

Project coordination: Bruno Aimone - email: aimone@alpicozie.eu

Collaborations

The Alcotra Lemed-Ibex project involves:

• Ecrins National Park (lead partner),
• Asters-CEN74,
• Management bodies of Protected Areas of the Cottian Alps,
• Management bodies of Protected Areas of the Maritime Alps,
• Mercantour National Park,
• Vanoise National Park,
• Gran Paradiso National Park,
• Autonomous Region of Valle d'Aosta.
   

Insights

Pragelato - Stories of Ibex in Piedmont - Conference of October 20, 2017

https://www.pngp.it/conservazione-e-ricerca/lemed-ibex

https://it.marittimemercantour.eu/progetti/progetto-alcotra-lemed-ibex

https://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr/actualite/lemed-ibex-programme-europeen-bouquetin-alpes-0