Iconic alpine wildlife returns home: france launches its most ambitious rewilding project in the dauphiné alps

The rugged limestone cliffs of France’s Dauphiné Alps are witnessing a remarkable transformation as the country embarks on its largest rewilding initiative to date. This June, the nonprofit organization Rewilding Europe designated the southeastern Alpine region as its 11th restoration site, launching an ambitious project to bring back the diverse wildlife that once thrived in these mountains.

Centuries ago, these foothills teemed with wild horses, bison, roe deer, gray wolves, Eurasian lynx, and four species of vultures. Today, alpine ibex have already returned to roam the cliffs, serving as a promising preview of what’s to come. The rewilding approach, which gained momentum globally over the past decade, focuses on reintroducing historically native species to restore natural ecosystem balance and enhance biodiversity.

“A fixed approach to nature doesn’t really work anymore,” explains Fabien Quétier, head of landscapes for Rewilding Europe. The strategy centers on rebuilding core ecosystem functions by reestablishing key species groups: herbivores like wild horses and cattle to maintain forest health, scavengers such as vultures to prevent disease from animal carcasses, and aquatic mammals including otters and beavers to sustain river ecosystems.

Beyond environmental benefits, the project aims to create economic opportunities for local communities while building ecosystem resilience against climate change. The Dauphiné Alps were chosen partly because restoration efforts had already begun, giving this groundbreaking initiative a valuable head start in rewilding one of Europe’s most iconic mountain landscapes.