The wild heart of Italy
The Central Apennines boast an incredible diversity of ecosystems, making them a haven for wildlife. From ancient beech forests to open hillsides and alpine grasslands, these landscapes are home to a rich variety of species.
Who would have imagined that wild wolves and majestic Marsican brown bears could be observed in their natural habitats, just 90 minutes from the “Eternal City” of Rome?
As Italy’s second-largest mountain range, the Apennines stretch for hundreds of kilometres, running along the country’s main axis from north to south.
Towering beech forests - many of them centuries old and among the oldest in Europe - blanket the mountain slopes. Within these ancient woods, red deer, roe deer, and wild boar roam freely. These herbivores, along with semi-wild herds of horses and cattle, form the primary prey base for wolves. In fact, some areas of the Apennines have the highest wolf densities in Europe.
The most iconic resident of these mountain forests, however, is the Marsican brown bear. This endemic subspecies is unique to the region and serves as a symbol of the Apennines' untamed beauty.
Rewilding vision
The Central Apennines | Italy 🇮🇹
The Central Apennines have become a true biodiversity hotspot, offering real wilderness in the heart of bustling Italy, just 1.5 hours from Rome. This majestic mountain range, with limestone peaks soaring to nearly 3,000 metres, is a treasure trove of natural wonders.
Hidden within its dramatic landscapes are caves, deep canyons, some of Europe’s oldest beech forests, and diverse grasslands. These habitats are home to an incredible array of wildlife, including the Marsican brown bear, grey wolf, Apennine chamois, red deer, golden eagle, vultures, and a remarkable collection of endemic species.
The Central Apennines offer a unique opportunity to experience Mediterranean wilderness at its finest - a captivating blend of natural beauty and wildlife in Italy’s wild heart.
Do you want to know more about Rewilding Europe's efforts to make the Central Apennines a wilder place?
Visit RewildingEurope.com >Take a journey through vital wildlife corridors
Our rewilding experiences in the Central Apennines rewilding landscape take place against the backdrop of large-scale wildlife corridors.
These corridors - within which the Rewilding Apennines team are working hard to create conditions where people and wildlife can thrive alongside each other - connect areas where wildlife is already protected. They are critical for the movement and comeback of many species, including the Marsican brown bear, Apennine wolf, red deer, roe deer, wild boar, wildcat, griffon vulture, and golden eagle.
The Rewilding Apennines team focus their efforts on the restoration of habitats and natural processes, monitoring, wildlife releases, and measures to promote human-wildlife coexistence. Those who visit this landscape will witness first-hand how these efforts are revitalising wild nature and transforming the socio-economic outlook for local businesses and communities.
