The Central Apennines rewilding initiative was relaunched in the summer of 2018. Over the last 12 months, the development of wildlife corridors has provided a better platform for Marsican brown bear recovery.

The six-month collaboration with Amsterdam-based tech start-up Sensing Clues could help to mitigate human-bear conflict and improve the conservation of other wildlife species.

Located in the buffer zone of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, the water tank, which has claimed the lives of five critically endangered bears in two separate incidents, has now been partially filled in. Work continues to identify other potentially dangerous tanks and wells.

A succession of European Erasmus+ students are now volunteering with Italian NGO Salviamo l’Orso. As they make an invaluable contribution to Marsican brown bear conservation in the Central Apennines rewilding area, they are also learning from their experience.

By distributing electric fences, safeguarding livelihoods and establishing trust, the Rewilding Apennines team and local partner Salviamo l’Orso are showing how humans and bears can live side by side.

The Central Apennines rewilding area in Italy will see Rewilding Europe and Rewilding Apennines work together in a new set up to develop this area as a prime example of European rewilding. One of the first steps is a cooperation with local NGO Salviamo l’Orso to help conserve and boost the critically endangered local population of Marsican brown bears.

A 25-minute documentary featuring renowned TV presenter and Dutch Postcode Lottery Ambassador Humberto Tan was released in Amsterdam today. Produced by New Earth Films productions and Buro JAM for National Geographic in the Netherlands, the documentary – titled “Door Het Oog” (“Through the Eye of” in English) – showcases Tan’s visits to the Velebit Mountains and Central Apennines in July and September. Here he shot photos of Rewilding Europe’s ongoing work, as well as local landscapes, wildlife and people.

Rewilding Europe is delighted to announced that Salviamo l’Orso, our partner in the Central Apennines rewilding area, has been awarded a grant from the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA).

Thanks to a loan from Rewilding Europe Capital, the high altitude Bisegna Mountain Refuge offers wild nature lovers a unique experience in the heart of Italy’s stunning Apennine mountains. The converted shepherd’s hut welcomed its first guests in July.

We are thrilled to announce that Adessium Foundation will continue to support Rewilding Europe for another three year period. This support will not only focus on our rewilding activities in the Velebit Mountains (Croatia) and the Central Apennines (Italy), but also on the identification of new areas for rewilding.