Progetto Interreg Italia-Svizzera GREAT - Grandi Erbivori negli Ecosistemi Alpini in Trasformazione
Programma di Cooperazione Transfrontaliera Italia-Svizzera 2007-2013 Unione Europea FESR

under the endorsement of:
Alpine Network of Protected Areas ALPARC
IUCN Caprinae Specialist Group

FIRST CALL

The Gran Paradiso National Park and the Swiss National Park are pleased to invite you to the 22nd Meeting of the Alpine Ibex European Specialist Group - Gruppo Stambecco Europa (GSE- AIESG) that will be held in Zernez (Swiss National Park) on 26-28 October 2012.
The aim of the meeting is to update the knowledge on the status and distribution of Alpine ibex and to share the results of the latest research on this species. The conference is open to researchers, experts, managers and to everybody interested in this species.
SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME
The scientific programme will include invited lectures, contributed talks and posters. The programme will be divided into a session on the s tatus and distribution of Alpine ibex populations and various thematic sessions on genetics, population ecology, behaviour, physiology, diseases and conservation.
The tentative schedule of the meeting will be as follows:
26 october, afternoon: Opening of the meeting and session: Overview on status and distribution of populations
27 october, morning and afternoon: Thematic sessions.
28 october, morning: Excursion in the Swiss National Park and closing of the meeting.
The session overview on status and distribution of populations will include only invited lectures (one contribution for each nation where the species is present with the aim to present the general situation of that country).
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
The official languages of the meeting will be Italian, German, French and English. Translation services will be provided.
REGISTRATION AND SUBMISSION OF CONTRIBUTIONS
The deadline for registration and submission of contributions is 31st August 2012. Registration to the meeting is free but only delegates who registered before the deadline will be allowed to attend. To register to the meeting please fill the online registration form.
Delegates who want to present a contribution are asked to send a brief abstract (max 250 words) including title, authors and affiliations, type of contribution (oral presentation or poster), in english language along with the online registration form. Each speaker will have 15 minutes available for their presentation and 5 minutes for questions. Delegates will receive a confirmation of their registration and submission within two weeks after the deadline.
HOW TO REACH THE MEETING AND ACCOMODATION
Swiss National Park is easily accessible with public transport or by car, instruction on how to reach Zernez are available at http://www.nationalpark.ch/go/en/visit/how-to-get-there/
Zernez offer a wide range of hotels for accommodation, a list of hotels will be provided with the second announcement to all registered delegates.
The Second announcement, with informations on accommodation and the detailed programme, will be sent only to delegates registered before the deadline.
Hoping in a wide participation we look forward to your registration and to welcome you in Zernez!

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Bruno Bassano (Gran Paradiso National Park)
Flurin Filli (Swiss National Park)
Achaz von Hardenberg (Gran Paradiso National Park)
Ruedi Haller (Swiss National Park)
Alice Brambilla (DISTA, University of Pavia, Italy)
Seraina Campbell (Swiss National Park)

CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT
Ente Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso
Servizio sanitario e della ricerca scientifica
Via della Rocca, 47 - 10123 – Torino (Italy)
tel. +39-11-8606211
e mail address for correspondence: gse@pngp.it