Team leader Mario Cipollone
Team leader Mario Cipollone was born in the region and helped to create a vision for conservation and rewilding beyond the protected areas approach. Mario was...
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Trek through Italy's wild heart in the Central Apennines, where rewilded habitats host the critically endangered Marsican brown bear. Join bear-smart tours and support local conservation! The Central Apennines — or the wild heart of Italy, as it’s often known — is home to swathes of naturally and deliberately rewilded habitats. Among thriving biodiversity lives the endangered Marsican brown bear, of which there are only 60 left in the world. A new bear-smart project, based on successful pilots in British Columbia, Canada is helping the local community coexist with the bears and benefit from the tourism they bring.
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Available for sponsorship
Stories
Coexistence plans
Inspiring local communities to rethink their role in the management of a wild territory is key to the project. By encouraging local communities to consider wild...
The bear smart community
The bear smart community of Pettorano sul Gizio has been a huge success. In 2015 an adult bear was shot dead by one of the local residents. At that time, a...
Species & habitat
The Marsican brown bear is a subspecies of brown bear that only exists in this central part of Italy. Since at least the 15th Century, the bears have been embedded in the traditions, stories, and life of the Apennines’ rural communities. However, due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict there are only 60 left in the world, making them critically endangered.
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Threats
Regional land management practices are not necessarily aligned with rewilding and biodiversity principles and, more often than not, landowners lack sufficient knowledge and adequate support to prevent and mitigate wildlife conflicts. There is no robust landscape approach to conflict mitigation. Over the last six years Rewilding Apennines has been piloting a bear smart community approach - a coexistence model from British Colombia - and is now scaling up the initiative across 16 municipalities, in collaboration with key local stakeholders.
Supporters & Assessors
Why visit a Wildlife Heritage Area?
Trustworthy
Visitors to Wildlife Heritage Areas can take part in outstanding wildlife watching experiences that put wildlife first. Staying in a Wildlife Heritage Area helps local communities invest in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, benefitting community well-being and driving forward sustainable practices.
Designated for excellence
Communities achieve Wildlife Heritage Area designation by playing a central role in protecting wild animals and their habitats. With support from responsible travel organisations and wildlife experts, these communities are committed to help turn the tide on biodiversity loss and the climate crisis, adopt a zero tolerance for wildlife suffering in tourism, and advocate for positive change through a willingness to collaborate.
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Each Wildlife Heritage Area is designated by experts who advise dedicated local people passionate about preserving their unique wildlife and natural heritage.
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