The wild side of Switzerland

Iconic Swiss species

Eurasian lynx Big cats find love and habitat in Switzerland

Once hunted to extinction in Switzerland, lynx are doing well now – thanks partly to the successful matchmaking services of the Swiss government.

Bearded vulture The bone-picker that was a ghost in Switzerland

By Susan Misicka and Julie Hunt

The largest bird in the Alps, the bearded vulture was exterminated in the 19th century and is a vulnerable species today.

Alpine salamander Meet an amphibian that’s at home in the Alps

By Susan Misicka and Ester Unterfinger

Tricky to spot, the Alpine salamander stands out for its unusual reproductive style and ability to handle the cold.

European dipper A bird that sings in the shower

By Susan Misicka and Julie Hunt

This rotund and bibbed bird is the only songbird that swims. It even flies through waterfalls!

European beech Tree of life’s a beech

By Susan Misicka and Ester Unterfinger

In autumn, Switzerland’s beech trees are aflame with red leaves. However, they struggle with the higher temperatures that come with climate change.

Alpine marmot Cute rodent appears on postcards and plates

By Susan Misicka and Julie Hunt

Their fat faces grace postcards; their fat is used in salves. In Switzerland, the marmot is part mascot, part medicine chest and part meal.

Edelweiss Rarefied beauty found in Alps and adverts

By Susan Misicka and Ester Unterfinger

Fuzzy and white, Edelweiss flowers are a lucky find for hikers, and a ubiquitous sight on Swiss marketing materials.

Wolf Big, yes, but bad? Carnivore divides Swiss opinion

By Susan Misicka and Julie Hunt

Emotions run high whenever this elusive creature appears. As wolves make a comeback in Switzerland, they spark feelings of awe and fear.

Alpenrose Not a rose but a rhododendron

By Susan Misicka and Ester Unterfinger

Immortalized by Swiss singer Polo Hofer, this flowering plant thrives in the Alps and in the Jura region.

Blueberry A sweet treat for hunter-gatherers

By Susan Misicka and Ester Unterfinger

In May and June, Switzerland’s wild blueberry bushes are in bloom. They’re popular with birds, foxes and bears.

Golden eagle The raptor with the unjustified bad rap

By Susan Misicka and Julie Hunt

This is the only large Swiss predator that survived the days when the bearded vulture, the lynx, the wolf and the brown bear were exterminated.

Alpine ibex In the thrall of the mountain king

By Susan Misicka and Julie Hunt

Once extinct in Switzerland, the ibex is back. Thousands of the surefooted creatures now live in the Swiss Alps.

Biodiversity in Switzerland

Wildlife Rare bear seen again in the Bern area

Swiss wildlife authorities have confirmed the sighting of a brown bear in the Bernese Oberland, continuing the pattern of increased spottings.

Science Saturday Nature is worth billions, say scientists

By Susan Misicka

Biodiversity is worth billions in terms of human well-being, but poor policy and lifestyle choices are causing a drastic decline.

Biodiversity Three out of eight Swiss bird species endangered

Worldwide, about one in eight bird species is endangered. In Switzerland, it’s three times as many.

Wildlife management Lynx dead after botched capture attempt in Switzerland

Swiss gamekeepers have killed a Eurasian lynx that was hurt during efforts to catch him for a resettlement project.

M29 returns? Swiss bear on the piste

A bear wandered into a Swiss ski resort on Monday, sparking excitement among the few onlookers.

Biodiversity Global warming drives plants to higher altitudes

Significantly more plant species are growing on mountain tops today than 100 years ago.

Alpine environment Climate change is shrinking mountain hare’s alpine habitat

Global warming is making life difficult for the mountain hare in the Swiss Alps. As a result, they are becoming increasingly rare, an ...

mistaken identity Hunter claims accidental shooting of Swiss wolf

A hunter in the Swiss Alps has owned up to killing a wolf earlier this month but claims he thought it was a fox.

Flight risk Peregrine falcon named Swiss Bird of the Year

By swissinfo.ch

Having almost become extinct in the past, the peregrine falcon is starting to recover.

Biodiversity Alpine flowers fight for food and space

By Susan Misicka

Global warming is affecting the range of alpine flora – creating winners and losers, says a joint study from Swiss and Austrian scientists.

Slim and furry Stoat named Swiss animal of the year for 2018

The short-tailed weasel, also known as the stoat or ermine, has been chosen as Switzerland’s animal of the year by Pro Natura.

Nature under threat 2017 was a mixed year for biodiversity, says WWF

The number of endangered plant and animal species worldwide reached a new record this year, reports WWF.

People and predators Wolves: welcome or worrying?

By Michele Andina and Susan Misicka

Should an area in south-western Switzerland be a predator-free zone? A local initiative wants to eliminate protected species like wolves.

See in other languages: 9

Podcast ‘Wolves and lynx have a role to play’

By Susan Misicka

A conservation biologist explains the role of predators in an ecosystem, and tells us why we should stop and smell the free-tailed bats.

Are the Swiss ready for bears? How to live with dangerous animals

By Julie Hunt

Following the shooting of Switzerland’s only wild bear, M13, attempts are being made to stop future bears from suffering the same fate. (Julie ...

Special reports

Planting the seed of biodiversity

They're not just beautiful. Botanical gardens also have an important role to play in nature, as this series of photos shows.

ProSpecieRara Switzerland’s endangered species on show

By Julie Hunt

Rare Swiss breeds are being saved from extinction by the ProSpecieRara foundation. Traditional breeds are often more robust and cheaper to maintain.

See in other languages: 9

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The wild side of Switzerland

Iconic Swiss species

Eurasian lynx Big cats find love and habitat in Switzerland

Bearded vulture The bone-picker that was a ghost in Switzerland

Alpine salamander Meet an amphibian that’s at home in the Alps

European dipper A bird that sings in the shower

European beech Tree of life’s a beech

Alpine marmot Cute rodent appears on postcards and plates

Edelweiss Rarefied beauty found in Alps and adverts

Wolf Big, yes, but bad? Carnivore divides Swiss opinion

Alpenrose Not a rose but a rhododendron

Blueberry A sweet treat for hunter-gatherers

Golden eagle The raptor with the unjustified bad rap

Alpine ibex In the thrall of the mountain king

Biodiversity in Switzerland

Wildlife Rare bear seen again in the Bern area

Science Saturday Nature is worth billions, say scientists

Biodiversity Three out of eight Swiss bird species endangered

Wildlife management Lynx dead after botched capture attempt in Switzerland

M29 returns? Swiss bear on the piste

Biodiversity Global warming drives plants to higher altitudes

Alpine environment Climate change is shrinking mountain hare’s alpine habitat

mistaken identity Hunter claims accidental shooting of Swiss wolf

Flight risk Peregrine falcon named Swiss Bird of the Year

Biodiversity Alpine flowers fight for food and space

Slim and furry Stoat named Swiss animal of the year for 2018

Nature under threat 2017 was a mixed year for biodiversity, says WWF

Additional content about the topic

People and predators Wolves: welcome or worrying?

Podcast ‘Wolves and lynx have a role to play’

Are the Swiss ready for bears? How to live with dangerous animals

Planting the seed of biodiversity

ProSpecieRara Switzerland’s endangered species on show

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