Cloud cover
A lone male ibex (known as a bouquetin in French-speaking regions of the Alps) stands sentinel above the clouds cloaking Lake Geneva in France's Haute-Savoie region. On this December dawn, at the peak of the mating season, he's on the lookout for females - hoping that at least one will be impressed by his hefty horns.
High and wild
A magnificent male grazes among shattered rocks beneath the Mont Blanc massif in south-west Switzerland. Living at altitudes up to 3,300m in summer across their Alpine range, these large goats - a big male can top 100kg at his pre-winter peak - prefer south-facing slopes and ridges.
Social climber
An ibex scales a stratified cliff-face in Haute-Savoie to join a cluster of females with kids above her; in summer, ibex form same-sex groups comprising several dozen individuals.
Horns of plenty
The curved, heavily ridged horns of male ibex grow to nearly 1m long and can weigh over 6kg - intimidating weapons used during bouts to establish a place in the local hierarchy and access to breeding females. Such a powerful creature will likely win more opportunities to mate than less well-endowed rivals.
Boys club
This story is from the July 2022 edition of BBC Wildlife.
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This story is from the July 2022 edition of BBC Wildlife.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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