In the Swiss National Park

National park ranger Not Armon Willy

im Schweizerischen Nationalpark mit Not Armon Willy

He sits for hours in front of his precision telescope and observes the mountain slopes of the Val Foraz. The job of a national park ranger requires a lot of patience - and Not Armon Willy has it. He makes a note of every deer and chamois he sees. There are a good 400 red deer in his sector, 2000 in the entire national park.

Magische Momente für sich allein auf dem Mot Tavrü.

Magical moments to yourself

Not Armon has set out in the dark to stand at dawn on his observation post, Mot Tavrü. He loves those magical moments when the first rays of sunlight illuminate the mountain slopes. "Most wildlife is most active early in the morning and late in the evening, which is when you can count them best," the experienced park ranger knows.

Auf dem Mot Tavrü, an der Grenze zum Schweizerischen Nationalpark

Nothing but wilderness - for more than 100 years

Mot Tavrü is located on the border of the National Park. While cows still graze on the left, untouched nature unfolds on the right. The Swiss National Park was founded in 1914 as the first national park in the Alps. The data series of the game counts therefore go back a long way, which is unique and particularly valuable for research.

Parkwächter sind auch Ansprechpartner für Parkbesucher.

Do not forget binoculars

Park rangers don't just count animals, they also maintain trails, help with research projects, and are points of contact for park visitors. When Not Armon meets hikers, he likes to show them where deer are hiding. "If you want to observe wildlife, you have to bring a good pair of binoculars and a lot of time. Because the deer don't just walk by, they have to be tracked down the slopes."

Inspiration and information in Zernez

The National Park Center is located in Zernez and is open all year round. Visitors can get all the information they need about the national park here, find inspiration for their next hike in exhibitions or book a guided hike. The park rangers also travel regularly to Zernez to bring their data sheets to their fellow researchers.

Sieben Parkwächter im Schweizerischen Nationalpark.

Seven national park rangers

Not Armon Willy has been a park ranger for 24 years. He is one of seven and the only one without a trade. As a trained postal worker, he does more administrative work than his colleagues. Like all national park rangers, he has successfully completed training as a gamekeeper and passed the hunting exam.

Unterwegs im Schweizerischen Nationalpark.

The privilege of leaving the trail

What he likes about his job is the peace and quiet of wild nature and the privilege of being able to move freely within it. All others are forbidden to leave the trails in the strictly protected national park. Even making fire, bathing in lakes or carrying dogs is forbidden. Not even a stone may be taken home, and park rangers are empowered to punish offenders. But he rarely has to do that, Not Armon is pleased to say. "Visitors respect and appreciate the protective regulations."

Parkwächter Not Armon Willy mit seiner Familie.

In the right place at the right time

In summer, the family man is out and about in the park practically every day, usually alone. He enjoys spending time with his family all the more. Not Armon lives in Guarda with his wife and two sons. In winter, when the national park is dormant, he is often at home sorting photos and doing office work. "National park guard is my absolute dream job. I was lucky; when I applied, I was in the right place at the right time."

Text Franco Furger / Pictures Filip Zuan / Video ON AIR Production

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