The Central Apennine ridge, located in the middle section of Italy’s mountainous backbone, is a wild expanse of limestone peaks, ancient beech forests, and plunging canyons. This untamed region is home to half a dozen wolf packs, making it likely the area with the highest population density of wolves in Europe. In recent decades, these wolves have managed to recover from the brink of extinction. Visitors to the mountainous national park in the region of Abruzzo can now take trekking trips to track these free-ranging wolves, with similar opportunities available in the French Alps, Sweden, and Romania’s Transylvania.
Wildlife Adventures, a travel company, offers wolf-tracking long weekends in Abruzzo between November and April. These trips are designed to provide an immersive experience in the world of the wolf, allowing participants to observe the animals up close and learn about peaceful coexistence with the predators. Expert wildlife trackers lead the tours, teaching guests how to search for signs of wolf presence and collecting data on the animals’ habits. The experience includes hiking through the Abruzzo National Park and staying in mountain huts where the distant howls of wolves can be heard at night.
Responsible nature-based tourism, such as wolf-tracking holidays, can have a positive impact on wolf populations by increasing understanding and reducing human-wolf conflicts. Founder of Wildlife Adventures, Umberto Esposito, believes that tourism activities that respect the environment and wildlife can support conservation efforts and encourage local communities to view wolves as valuable assets to be protected rather than threats. Additionally, sustainable tourism in rural areas can bring economic benefits to local communities by creating new employment opportunities and revitalizing areas at risk of abandonment or exploitation.
Other wolf-populated regions in Europe, such as Romania’s Transylvania, have also embraced the potential benefits of educating tourists about coexisting with wolves. Romania’s rugged landscape is home to healthy wolf populations, along with bears and lynx, living in close proximity to traditional human activities. Expert wildlife guides like Dan Marin offer animal-tracking experiences in Romania, allowing participants to explore wolf-populated areas along shepherds’ trails and through alpine meadows. Similarly, tour operators in central Sweden and the French Alps provide opportunities to search for wolves in their natural habitats and learn about rewilding efforts and conservation initiatives.
The rise of wolf-tracking experiences across Europe highlights the growing interest in wildlife tourism that focuses on education, conservation, and sustainable practices. By providing visitors with the opportunity to observe and learn about wolves in their natural habitats, these experiences can help increase awareness and support for wolf conservation efforts. As more people come to appreciate the importance of coexisting with these predators and protecting their habitats, there is potential for long-term benefits for both wildlife populations and local communities.
