Animals of Romania
Entering Romania may feel like entering a world of myth and folklore. And if you think that, you're close to the mark; the cultural history is rich in tradition. But that's a story for another time. There are also miles and miles of undulating hills, roads that disappear into valleys, rivers that bend in unexpected directions, and tall mountains covered in the most lush woods. Everywhere you look, another peak, meadow, or valley awaits to take your breath away.
Aside from large mammals, the Transylvanian woodlands are home to foxes, boars, deer, and tiny animals like mice and reptiles. Watch out for chamois escalating the peaks while hiking in the highlands.
The Carpathian Mountains
The Carpathian mountain range encompasses one-third of Romania's area and is home to Europe's last pristine forests. These forests, which are wild and densely forested, are home to the majority of Romania's large mammals.
The Brown Bear
Brown bears can be seen in the Carpathian woodlands. Over 6,000 have made this their permanent home, making it Europe's largest brown bear population. While agriculture and farming have limited territory, brown bears still control most of Romania's woods. The Eurasian brown bear is a huge mammal weighing up to 350 kilogrammes and can live in forests for 25-30 years.
The Grey Wolf
Romania has around 3,000 wild wolves, accounting for about 10% of Europe's population. Grey wolves travel in packs through the Transylvanian woodlands. It is the major opponent for human hunters, as their prey consists primarily of ungulates (deer, roe deer, and chamois). This made the wolf afraid of human presence, making wolf sightings uncommon.
The European Bison
The bison is Europe's heavyweight champion, weighing roughly a tonne. This gentle giant is quietly returning after being hunted to extinction across Europe. After the 2000s, bison were reintroduced in captive, with rewilding initiatives beginning in 2010. The most ambitious project, a WWF Romania and Rewilding Europe collaboration is located in the Tarcu Mountains in south-west Romania.
Lynx
The lynx, the last of Romania's "big three" (together with brown bears and wolves), lurks in the Carpathian woodlands. Due to the secretive nature of the cat and hunting, the true population is unknown, with an estimated population of 2,000 individuals. The Eurasian Lynx is nearly tough to observe because it is mostly active at night and avoids humans. Those pursuing it may be lucky enough to come upon its smaller counterpart, the wild cat.
In contrast to the Iberian Lynx, which may be found in Andalusia, the Eurasian Lynx is Europe's largest feline.
The Danube Delta
When you've had your fill of the crisp alpine air, turn away from the mountains and go east. The landscape is plain but not flat here. The Danube Delta is as abundant in picturesque scenery as in wildlife. The Danube Delta is home to approximately 5,000 species and has the world's third-highest biodiversity after the Great Barrier Reef and the Galapagos Islands. Over 300 bird species, 3,500 animal species, and 1,700 plant species are among them. Most notably, it is home to the most white and Dalmatian pelicans in Europe and 60% of the world's pygmy cormorants.
