Editing Ibex (section)

==Rescue from extinction==
When firearms spread in the 15th century, the large population of ibex that spanned many of Europe's mountains decreased as they became easy targets for hunters. The ibex was often hunted for its meat, with other body parts used for medicine. The ibex horns were highly sought after as a remedy for impotence, while its blood was used for treating [[kidney stone]]s.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

The relentless hunting of the alpine ibex might have led to its extinction were it not for the foresight of the dukes of Savoy. [[Charles Felix of Sardinia|Charles-Felix]], Duke of Savoy and King of Sardinia, banned the hunting of the ibex across his estates of the Gran Paradiso after being persuaded by a report on the animal's endangered state. The ban was implemented on 12 September 1821 and its law was soon extended to the rest of the kingdom. In 1856, [[Victor Emmanuel II]], succeeding Charles-Felix as the king, inducted the [[Gran Paradiso National Park|Gran Paradiso]] as a protected hunting estate along with appointed gamekeepers to patrol the area.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Cousquer|first=Glen|date=2013|title=A mountain to climb-the new threat facing ibex|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262698653|journal=Veterinary Times|pages=4–5|via=researchgate.net}}</ref>