Just a few weeks ago, the possibility of the Alpine ibex once again becoming a huntable species in Italy was sparking much debate within the European hunting community. Ultimately, the Italian government chose to back down and abandon this measure, which had been included in a sweeping legislative reform of hunting regulations.

The Alpine ibex holds a special place in the history of European conservation. At the beginning of the 20th century, the species came close to extinction following decades of excessive harvesting. Its rescue is closely tied to the creation of the Gran Paradiso Royal Reserve by King Victor Emmanuel II, which allowed the last surviving populations to endure. Subsequent reintroductions throughout the Alpine arc led to a spectacular return of the species. Today, Alpine numbers are estimated to exceed 50,000 individuals.