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Wildlife
Tour in the Carpathians and |
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Explore the little-known Carpathian Mountains looking for signs of bears and wolves; visit the Carpathian Large Carnivore Project where you can see Crai and Poiana- the most photographed and filmed semi-tame wolves in the whole of Europe; observe many rare species of birds in the Danube Delta- the place where Jean Jacques Cousteau spent a lot of time, charmed by the beauty of virgin nature. The Carpathian Mountains- a continuation of the Alps- whose primary branches run north-south and east-west respectively, form a natural chain demarcating the eastern and southern boundaries of Transylvania. Inhabitants of Romania jokingly remark that their country is inside-out, with its mountains in the middle and its plains exposed on the borders. The Romanian Carpathians are among the least spoilt mountains in Europe, due to the old communist regime, and home of the largest predator populations in Europe.50% of Europe's Brown Bear population lives in Romania-estimated at 5,500. Wolves and other large mammals have significant populations-wolves 2,500 (about 30%), lynx 1,500 (about 30%).
You will explore the massifs of Bucegi and Piatra Craiului, part of the South- eastern Carpathians which are Romania's most popular mountains. Time will be spent looking for signs of bears, wolves, lynx , red deer, wild boar and exploring forest and mountain tracks. You will meet with shepherds , farmers and foresters. You will visit the Carpathian Large Carnivore Project, coordinated by the Munich Wildlife Society and the Wildlife Department of the Romanian Forest Research and Management Institute. The project established the programme "Wolves and Bears in Transylvania" with the goal to create a model area for large carnivore conservation in south-eastern Transylvania.
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The second part of the tour will be spent in the Danube Delta and will include a boat trip observing many rare species of birds. The Danube Delta - Europe's youngest land - is one of the most picturesque areas not only in Romania but also in the whole of Europe, a paradise of water and wildlife. It is a triangle of water and land gathered between the three branches of the big river, which, after crossing eight countries and before flowing into the Black Sea, gives a magnificent show of nature in all its splendor. It is like walking through a large park, the difference being that the avenues are called marshes, canals, lagoons. The flora includes - huge reed
areas, a flowery landscape of an overwhelming diversity, including
white and yellow lotus flowers. The sand dunes are several meters
high. The fauna evokes Noah's Ark. You can see White Pelicans (this region shelters Europe's largest white pelican and Dalmatian pelican colonies), small and big Egret, white and red Goose (half the world's red-breasted goose population winters here), white and yellow Herons, Spoonbill, Pygmy Cormorant (it is home to 60% of the world's small pygmy cormorant population), the Glossy Ibis, the Little Bittern. Several interesting species of raptor, including White-tailed Eagle, Black Kite and Saker may be seen along with many forms of warbler, wader and tern. There are some 75 fish species including pike, Danubian herring and Black Sea sturgeon. The Danube Delta is protected under the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and is also included in UNESCO's World Heritage List. |
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