Apex Predator in Mercantour National Park, pt.1

On November 4th 1992, several rangers of the Mercantour National Park observed two “unusual” canids while counting chamois. This observation was the first ascertained sighting of wolves in France since the 1937. These have naturally recolonized the Alps from the Central Apennines, in Italy. Since then, the population of wolves has increased in France, and can be found throughout the Alps. This natural come back did not happen without conflicts with the different stakeholders. Although the species is part of the native fauna, a portion of the public is concerned by the negative impact that the return of this apex predator could have on other mountain mammals. Between July and October 2015, I deployed three trail cameras in the core area of the national park, close to Saint-Martin-Vésubie, France. In so doing, I intended to showcase the simultaneous use of areas by wolves and other species. The results of this survey was shared by the Mercantour National Park on several social networks.