ECRINS NATIONAL PARK

nature reserve located in the dpartements of Hautes-Alpes and Isre, southeastern France. The park, which was created in 1973, occupies 226,694 acres (91,740 hectares) and is the second largest national park in France. It encompasses the Alpine peaks of Barre des crins (13,457 feet ), La Meije (13,067 feet ), Ailefroide, and Pelvoux, as well as numerous lakes, cirques, and gorges. Forests of larch cover the park. Rarer plants include lady's slipper orchids, orange lilies, and martagon lilies. Mountain hares and foxes, marmots, and chamois are common, while ibex, reintroduced in 1977 and 1978, are rare. Birds are typically Alpine and include golden eagles, capercaillies, rock partridges, and ptarmigans. More than 438,000 acres (177,000 hectares) bordering the park have been designated as a peripheral, or buffer, zone and are being developed in order to accommodate visitors to the park.