Animals

At home in Austria forest national park

Wild animals

The Kalkalpen National Park is home to 55 species of mammals, 17 of which are bats alone. Rare forest bird species such as the white-backed woodpecker, great horned owl and lesser spotted flycatcher occur here in high densities. An enormous number of beetle species, including 41 confirmed primeval forest relict species such as the alpine longhorn beetle and the large flat beetle, have been confirmed. With 1,560 butterfly species, Kalkalpen National Park is also a superlative. No other protected area in Austria has so many known butterfly species. Golden eagles, otters, lynxes and peregrine falcons have returned to the national park, while the black stork is a newcomer.

Tip! Experience our wild animals in their natural habitat.

In spring, our rangers accompany you to the black grouse courtship display or you get to know choristers, woodpeckers and other secretive birds on birdwatching tours. We walk together with the red deer family in the Bodinggraben or look for chamois at Sengsengebirge . A highlight of the year is the rutting of the stags from mid to late September.

Guided ranger tours

Flight photo shows golden eagle with wings spread wide in a cloudless blue sky — Golden eagle © Roland Mayr

The TOP FIVE of our animals

These five selected animal species are representative of the Kalkalpen National Park and prefer the forest wilderness habitat.

A flying jewel

Alpine longhorned beetle

Once widespread in our beech forests, the Alpine longhorned beetle is now rare. The most important population in Austria lives in Kalkalpen National Park and south-eastern Upper Austria.

Profile of the Alpenbock

Secret returnee

Lynx

Lynx are very stealthy hunters and people hardly ever see them. With the help of photo traps, however, we are able to detect Austria's largest forest cat at Kalkalpen National Park .

Lynx in the Upper Austrian Limestone Alps

Our jungle specialist

White-backed Woodpecker

The white-backed woodpecker is the rarest woodpecker in Austria and the most important bird species at Kalkalpen National Park. It is bound to heavy deadwood and is an indicator species for primeval forests.

Profile White-backed Woodpecker

King of the forests

Red deer

Red deer, the largest free-living herbivore in Central Europe, are shy. Its senses are far superior to ours, detecting us even before we notice it and the animals retreat into the forest.

Profile red deer

Our heraldic animal

Golden eagle

The golden eagle is the largest breeding bird of prey in the Northern Limestone Alps. The national park is home to three territories (breeding pairs). In recent years, small groups of young birds have been observed flying in.

Profile golden eagle