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Around 1800, the ibex was thought to be as good as extinct; in Austria, the last animals were captured as early as 1706 and handed over to Schönbrunn Zoo. Only in a national park in Italy were around 100 specimens still alive. The then Royal House of Savoy then launched a reintroduction program - with great success!

Today, 6700 animals live in Austria, 800 of them in Styria, all of which can be traced back to these 100 "founder animals", which is why there is a risk of inbreeding. Adult ibexes have no enemies in the animal kingdom and only have to fear hunters. The ibex (Capra Ibex) belongs to the goat genus and is therefore a good climber. The legs are extremely strong and the animals can jump several meters. The hooves with their sharp-edged horn shoes allow them to climb safely.

In the nature park Almenland it is not difficult to come across these animals, which are mainly found here between the Hochlantsch and the Red Wall live here. As a rule, they meet curious hikers with stoic composure. Nevertheless, please keep your distance and do not frighten the animals! ...and dogs are far too similar to the natural enemy"wolf" and are therefore not at all liked by ibexes. Therefore, please avoid hiking with dogs between Mixnitz, Bärenschützklamm, Hochlantsch and Roter Wand to avoid unpleasant encounters!