Within the Gran Paradiso National Park, in Cogne in the Valnontey area, an area of respect and absolute protection for the nesting of the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus L.) has been established. The closed zone was established precisely to protect this bird of prey which became extinct in 1913 and which, in the last few years, has returned to populate the valleys of the Park.

Within the protection zone, in order to reduce disturbance to nesting sites, the following activities are prohibited: access to the area, including for close-up observation and for photography or filming, the use of drones, as well as ice climbing on certain icefalls.
The icefalls affected by the protection zone are: Di fianco alla leggenda, Sputnik, Daddy Cool, Repentance Super, Monday Money, Gusto di Scozia, Flash Estivo (including the central column), Fiumana di Money.

The protection area will remain in force until the end of the breeding season, tentatively scheduled for the end of July.

Within the Gran Paradiso National Park and other protected areas, it is always advisable to check in advance for any areas closed to climbing, whether for the protection of nesting raptors or to respect zones dedicated to wildlife overwintering.