THE LIONS OF THE PYRENEES NATURE GUIDE - CHAPTER 2
"FAUNA OF THE PYRENEES"
By Daniel Arenas (Ornithologist and Nature Correspondent)
Wildlife of the Pyrenees
Due to their relative isolation and lack of human habitation the Pyrenees are home
to a huge variety of wildlife, with many native species unique to the Pyrenees.
The Pyrenees are one of the few places to find the Pyrenean Desman (Galemys
pyrenaicus), Pyrenean Chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica) and Pyrenean Brown
Bear(Ursus arctos).
Mammals of the Pyrenees
The Pyrenees are home to a variety of mammals, with many native species unique to
the Pyrenees. The Pyrenees are home to the Pyrenean Desman (Galemys pyrenaicus),
Pyrenean Chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica) and Pyrenean Brown Bear (Ursus
arctos).
The best way to spot these animals in the mountains is on one of ourwalking holidays.
Although your chances of seeing a bear or desman are very small, we often spot isard
up on the steep mountain slopes, and Marmot and Griffon vultures are a common
sight in the cirque de Troumouse on our Explorer walks. As part of your guided
MountainBug holiday, your guide will show you as much as they can of the local
wildlife, sharing their passion for the Pyrenees.
Below are brief descriptions of some of the mammals to be found in the Pyrenees. We
are gradually building up a library of descriptions and photographs, but currently this
list is not extensive.
Pyrenean Chamois, Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica, or “isard”
The isard is the Pyrenees’ emblem. You may see it on signs to denote national park
boundaries (a red isard’s head on a white background).
Alpine Marmot, Marmota marmot
The Marmot disappeared from the Pyrenees after the last glacial era, but they’ve now
been successfully reintroduced.
Brown Bear, Ursus arctos
The Pyrenean bear is the smallest of the brown bear family, with adult males weighing
120 to 200kg, and females 80 to 100kg. They live between 800 and 2400m. They
have a beige to dark cinnamon-coloured coat, and hibernate between December and
March-April.
Wild Boar, Sus scrofa
There are many species of wild boar world wide. Here in the Pyrenees we have
Common wild boar Sus scrofa scrofa. This is the most common and widespread
subspecies, with its original distribution range from France to European Russia. It has
recently been introduced in Sweden, Norway, the USA and Canada.
Pine Marten, Martes martes
These attractive, arboreal animals, belonging to the same family as Polecats, Stoats
and Otters, are found up to the tree line in coniferous and mixed woodlands all over
the Pyrenees.