Читать книгу Italy's Sibillini National Park. Walking and Trekking Guide онлайн

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The Apennine chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata), a fleet-footed, nimble mountain goat, is being reintroduced in stages to the Monti Sibillini. A small group inhabits a special enclosure at Bolognola, in semi-captivity but slated for release, while successful re-introductions have been made on Monte Bove. The total population in the Italian Apennines is at 800, so this initiative is being carefully – and optimistically – monitored. They differ from their northern alpine cousin in having much longer horns, but with the same crochet hook. See ssss1 for details.

Marsican bears, smaller than grizzlies and native to the central Apennines, have been making forays from neighbouring Abruzzo into the heart of the Monti Sibillini of late. The local population of Ursus arctos marsicanus became extinct in the 1800s, but monitoring for droppings and pawprints begun in 2006 has confirmed a fleeting presence. Camera traps are also used, with encouraging results. There is evidence of at least one bear hibernating here. In all, a mere 40 bears survive in Italy’s Apennine parks, under serious threat from man – poison bait is not unknown.