First adored, then exterminated, later reintroduced – the Alpine Ibex has a turbulent history. Val Languard, above Pontresina, is home to the largest colony of wild mountain goats in Switzerland, with around 1,800 animals. In the spring, the ibex even venture down to the village, where you can marvel at them first-hand. It was not always like this: the ibex was eradicated in Switzerland early on. Their lack of timidity and man's faith in the miraculous healing effects of ibex preparations were their undoing. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Italian King Vittorio Emanuele III managed to steal a few of the last animals and to smuggle them to Switzerland. All ibex now living in the Alps are descendants of these animals. The best observation sites can be found at the Church of Santa Maria, the protective dam Giandains, and along the Blais trail. We ask you to keep your distance, not to disturb the animals, and to respect the game and rest areas.