Fauna
Wildlife is abundant, yet many species remain elusive. Wild boar, deer, red squirrels, badgers and cats can be found in the forests and woodlands.
The Pyrenean chamois or isard, is a goat antelope found in the more remote mountain heartlands. The body is a ruddy brown colour and both males and females have narrow curved horns which rise directly above the head and then hook sharply back at the tips.
You are more likely to hear the Alpine Marmots before you see them, as their warning whistle gives them away – one whistle for possible airborne predators and more for ground predators. Marmots are the largest of the squirrel species and live at heights between 800 and 3,200 metres. They spend up to nine months in hibernation each year. You may see them playing, feeding or digging burrows for next winter – they are normally seen near a prominent rock. |
The rare Pyrenean desman can be found in fresh water mountain streams on the French side of the Pyrenees. A relative of the mole, it is a strong swimmer and catches insect larvae, shrimps and snails by using its extremely sensitive nose. The desman is listed as a vulnerable species.
Perhaps the most elusive animal is the Pyrenean bear. Once a common sight, the native bears were hunted to near extinction. As a result of a hunter shooting dead the last pure-blood native Pyrenean female bear in 2004, there is an ongoing reintroduction programme of Slovenian brown bears into the Pyrenees.
Birds of prey can be seen riding the thermals almost everywhere: from red and black kites; booted, Bonellis and golden eagles to Griffon, Egyptian and bearded vultures. |
