Mountain Wildlife Distress Solved: Eco-Guards Educate Skiers in the French Alps

Arvieux (Queyras), report

Skis hiss across a fine layer of white powder. Wrapped in a winter sky, a small group of backcountry skiers carve their path beneath the Maloqueste peak in Queyras. They emerge from the Ségure woods, carefully avoiding the area where black grouse nest, when suddenly, a few meters away, four birds take flight.

The male is particularly distinct with his black plumage, red crest, and white tail. The three others, displaying a reddish plumage streaked with black, are females. The family flees, leaving holes in the fresh snow—a sort of miniature igloo they will not return to. Perched in a tree, they wait for the danger to pass before digging a new shelter away from intrusive humans.

This unexpected encounter with the black grouse could have been enchanting if not for the dire consequences for the species. Fleeing depletes their vital energy reserves. Over time, repeated disturbances by skiers and snowshoers can threaten their survival.

To make mountain goers aware of this risk, the Queyras regional park has employed eco-guards for the past three years. Positioned at the start of hiking trails, they strive to inform visitors that these high altitudes are more than just a snowy playground for their leisure activities.

Alexis Belmont is one of them. With a headband over his ears and a tanned complexion, he’s stationed from 8 AM at the entrance of a trail in the Arvieux Nordic skiing area, a station in Queyras. Two banners flank him. The first warns of avalanche risks. The second lists the wildlife species one might encounter along the way—deer and chamois in the lower altitude forests, black grouse in snowy hollows, ibex on sunlit ridges, and finally, variable hares and ptarmigans, relics of the Ice Age near the summits.

« People need to develop empathy and put themselves in the place of these animals. Try, for example, walking in fresh snow to see how much energy it requires. A chamois expends 60 times more energy than on hard ground », explains Alexis Belmont.

On site, tourists are attentive to the eco-guard’s words, and their guides are already mindful of the issue. Céline Teissèdre is among them. On this beautiful sunny day, she leads a small group of snowshoers towards Clapeyto. « In some areas, we know there are animals, and we avoid going there to keep our distance and observe them with binoculars », she explains. Her clients are generally receptive to her guidance. « People who snowshoe love nature. Often, they disturb wildlife out of ignorance. Once they know, they are respectful. »

A testimony to the success of this approach is the experiment carried out in the Ségure woods at Ristolas. This site was known for its significant population of black grouse. However, in 2006, the area suffered a dramatic decline in numbers, primarily due to the popularity of backcountry skiing. The National Office of Hunting and Wildlife thus designated a tranquility zone—a space that practitioners are encouraged to bypass—and the results have been promising.

« After two winters of evaluation, the experiment seems successful. Skiers are convinced of the need to leave a space of tranquility for the birds. Informed beforehand and locating the refuge area, they respected it. The birds seem to have recolonized this space and regained the tranquility needed during the winter period », details the review.

Since then, the Queyras mountains have established five tranquility zones around Abriès and Ristolas. They are marked by tapes with small yellow flags attached to trees, yet they represent just 1 % of the total area of the regional park.

The park is also experimenting with a new strategy, devised in collaboration with the National Association for the Study of Snow and Avalanches and INRAE (National Institute for Research in Agriculture, Food, and Environment), being piloted for the first time in France. The guide also mentions the funnel method—grouping together rather than dispersing to avoid creating multiple paths through the forest—and advises carrying a pair of binoculars. « They are a good tool to spot animal tracks and determine whether or not you are crossing inhabited areas. »

Will deer, chamois, ibex, black grouse, variable hares, and ptarmigans be able to maintain territories free from human presence ? The balance, currently against them, is delicate to maintain. The park is caught between the economic necessity to boost tourism and the desire to preserve local fauna and flora. Alexis Belmont hopes to avoid following the Swiss example, where forbidden zones are mapped and must be strictly avoided under penalty of fines. « Finding a middle ground is essential because we all need this immersion in nature », he continues.

This immersion is sought by an increasing number of people. The practice of snowshoeing and ski touring has surged over the last fifteen years due to improved avalanche risk bulletins and access to safety equipment.

To gauge winter foot traffic, the Arvieux town hall has installed a counter on the path leading to Clapeyto—picturesque alpine chalets featured on many postcards. Between December 15 and April 15, 2024, nearly 15,000 people have passed through here.

« Our impact on the territory is broader than before. We no longer leave space for animals », laments Alexis Belmont. His gaze then shifts to the Bernard woods he frequented fifteen years ago. « In the spring, when we came here, it was bustling with life. Today, this area is too heavily trafficked. The black grouse can no longer winter here. »

To counter this, he advocates reconnecting with the living world, drawing inspiration from the thoughts of philosopher Baptiste Morizot, particularly from his book On the Animal Trail (Actes Sud, 2018), which invites us to “re-wild” ourselves. « People have lost the ability to perceive signs of animal presence. This sensitivity is crucial for those who wish to engage with the mountains in a respectful and attentive manner to the living world. »