I have to admit I'd forgotten about Abruzzo. I look forward to you letting us know how you did.
I arrived back from Italy yesterday without having seen either a Wolf or Brown Bear. I was very unlucky with the weather (rain and thick cloud/mist obscuring views of the valley) and a couple of other mishaps reduced my time at the watch points.
It seems Abruzzo is still a good place to see wild bears and wolves although an element of luck is needed!
Speaking to other bear watchers, up to four animals were seen in the previous week. On the day before I arrived it seems some of these bears tried to attack a horse next to the church where the main viewpoint is located (a newly erected fortified corral was evident). I’m unsure if the bears had been frightened off and this was why they were avoiding the area in the following week.
Despite a number of people looking, I’m only aware of one bear sighting over the five days I was in Abruzzo and this info was second hand. This animal had apparently been spotted on a scree slope in another part of the park.
I was told the bears are easy enough to spot when they are about, especially if they are hunting for food under stones etc. This is in contrast to the Iberian Lynx at Andujar which move relatively quickly, and soon disappear behind rocks and trees.
Wolves are more difficult to see in the park although sightings are often made from the bear watch points. I found fresh scat on a trail one afternoon.
On a positive note Abruzzo is a beautiful place, easily accessible from Rome. The scenery is stunning and there is plenty of other wildlife to see.
Over five days I saw Abruzzo Chamois, both Red and Roe Deer, Wild Boar and a Garden Dormouse, together with black Red Squirrels and several other mammal species. Fire Salamander was the reptile/amphibian highlight.
I will be writing a report for my website over the next few weeks for those that are interested.
