The Isard (pronounced "ee-zar", or as it is called in English, the
Pyrenean Chamois, lives in the Pyrenees thriving in the remotest areas and even close to 10,000 feet. Once hunted almost to extinction, now they number about 15,000 and have protected areas. Though they are still hunted, it is strictly controlled. One can even find Isard pate if one searches for it, and yes, it's good. There is a children's book written about a young Isard and there is a guide to their history and how they were/are hunted.
I have seen an Isard at a distance but never close up because they don't like people and I didn't want to scare them or intrude. They blend in so well to their environment that at times you can't see them for their camouflage, especially against rocks in the winter and earth in the summer. Their coats change with the seasons and they are very small, about 2.5 feet at the shoulders, tiny really, almost fairy creatures. They are members of the antelope family and to watch them climb rocks is truly amazing. I couldn't believe they wouldn't fall, but they aren't "mountain goats" for nothing! My husband climbed for nine years in the Pyrenees and saw many
Isard. He respects them deeply as do most Pyrenees people. I didn't take any of the photos here, since the closest I've ever come to one was too far away, but I think you'll enjoy these photos from those who got closer to them than I ever have.
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| In a Brèche, a break in the rock. |
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| Their coats are beautiful up close |
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| A fawn, very young. |
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| This shows their camouflage ability. |
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| This shows how close together their horns are. |
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| The children's book cover |
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| Their winter markings with a thicker coat |
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| Their summer markings, quite a change they go through there. |
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| The history of their lives and hunting |
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| The markings on their small faces are beautiful and distinctive, as are those horns. |
Images from:
TheThe Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica), also known as the izard or isard in the French language, is a species of
goat-antelope that can be found in the
Cantabrian Mountains, the
Apennine Mountains, and the
Pyrenees.
It will reside in habitats at an elevation of up to 9,842 feet. It
holds three subspecies. The Pyrenean chamois is small, reaching an
average height of 2.6 feet at the shoulder. Both males and females grow
backward curving horns that reach an average length of 7.8 inches. The
fur is typically reddish brown in color during the summer and brownish
black in the winter with dark patches occurring around the eyes. This
species consumes buds from trees, grasses, and lichens. It almost became
extinct due to over hunting, like all species of chamois, but was
estimated to have a total population of around 25,000 in 2002. The
Pyrenean chamois appears on the
IUCN Red List with a conservation status of “Least Concern.”
Read more at
http://www.redorbit.com/education/reference_library/animal_kingdom/mammalia/1112712153/pyrenean-chamois-rupicapra-pyrenaica/#ljffqqHikI1VLGXE.99
The Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica), also known as the izard or isard in the French language, is a species of
goat-antelope that can be found in the
Cantabrian Mountains, the
Apennine Mountains, and the
Pyrenees.
It will reside in habitats at an elevation of up to 9,842 feet. It
holds three subspecies. The Pyrenean chamois is small, reaching an
average height of 2.6 feet at the shoulder. Both males and females grow
backward curving horns that reach an average length of 7.8 inches. The
fur is typically reddish brown in color during the summer and brownish
black in the winter with dark patches occurring around the eyes. This
species consumes buds from trees, grasses, and lichens. It almost became
extinct due to over hunting, like all species of chamois, but was
estimated to have a total population of around 25,000 in 2002. The
Pyrenean chamois appears on the
IUCN Red List with a conservation status of “Least Concern.”
Read more at
http://www.redorbit.com/education/reference_library/animal_kingdom/mammalia/1112712153/pyrenean-chamois-rupicapra-pyrenaica/#ljffqqHikI1VLGXE.99
The Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica), also known as the izard or isard in the French language, is a species of
goat-antelope that can be found in the
Cantabrian Mountains, the
Apennine Mountains, and the
Pyrenees.
It will reside in habitats at an elevation of up to 9,842 feet. It
holds three subspecies. The Pyrenean chamois is small, reaching an
average height of 2.6 feet at the shoulder. Both males and females grow
backward curving horns that reach an average length of 7.8 inches. The
fur is typically reddish brown in color during the summer and brownish
black in the winter with dark patches occurring around the eyes. This
species consumes buds from trees, grasses, and lichens. It almost became
extinct due to over hunting, like all species of chamois, but was
estimated to have a total population of around 25,000 in 2002. The
Pyrenean chamois appears on the
IUCN Red List with a conservation status of “Least Concern.”
Read more at
http://www.redorbit.com/education/reference_library/animal_kingdom/mammalia/1112712153/pyrenean-chamois-rupicapra-pyrenaica/#ljffqqHikI1VLGXE.99
