Flora and fauna

The extraordinary biodiversity of the flora and fauna of the area around the mighty Ortles Alps includes the Alpine ibex and the chamois which find here an ideal terrain. Furthermore, the woods are home to the red deer, the red fox and the great spotted woodpecker. Also marmots and 20 species of bats can be found in the nature reserve. The golden eagle, however, is the undisputed king of the air. Also the bearded vulture can be seen again today, thanks to the breeding success and research at the Innsbruck Alpine Zoo and to the collaboration with other nature reserves. During the re-introduction project, 11 young bearded vultures were released in Martello.

The outstanding flora includes the precious edelweiss and the Nigritella. On the meadows up to more than 3,000 metres, you will also find the snowbell, the mountain avens and the bird's-eye primrose. Plants and animals have developed incredible strategies in order to survive the harsh conditions of the high mountain ranges. The glacier buttercup, for example, grows at higher altitudes than any other flowering plant in the Alps and can be found even at 4,275 metres a.s.l.