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Romania is a country with diverse fauna, including forest animals, birds, domestic animals, marine animals and insects. Most animals in Romania have their habitat in the mixed and temperate deciduous forests of the mountains. The climate is favorable for about 90 species of mammals, some of which are dangerous. The southern plains are occupied by rodents such as the Romanian hamster and the mole. Larger mammals, such as the gray wolf, the brown bear, and the European bison, live in mountain forests.
The Danube Delta is a natural habitat for many species, being one of the most beautiful nature reserves in Europe and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Approximately 390 exotic terrestrial species and over 102 marine species are present in the country. Many of the species being accidentally introduced from Southeast Asia and North America. The hunting permit is legal in Romania, and the most hunted animals are wild boars, deer and red deer. In 2016, the law banned the hunting of wild cats, wolves, lynx and brown bears, but it was suspended a year later.
European Wild Cat
The wild cat is a large, shy feline that does not like contact with other animals. It is present in almost all of Europe, in areas where human populations are low and sparse. Romania ranks second with the largest population of wild cats, after Russia. The wild cat has its habitat in vast coniferous forests such as the Carpathian Mountains, Retezat, Făgăraș, Apuseni and Gurghiu Mountains. It feeds on large birds and mammals: rabbits, hares, red foxes, red deer and young elk. Throughout the summer, the main prey of the lynx is the stray domestic sheep that venture into their habitats in search of food. Among the main enemies of raccoons are wolves and gray bears, although they do not hunt them in particular, when they meet, deadly encounters are born.
The Brown Bear
Before the 19th century, brown bears lived in all of Romania’s wilderness, from mountain peaks to the southern plains and the Danube Delta. Animal husbandry and agriculture have occupied a large part of the brown bear’s habitat. Romania boasts one of the largest populations of brown bears in Europe, consisting of about 6,000 bears. Most brown bears are in the Carpathian Mountains. There food is very easy to find, and the rocky terrain gives them a wide range of caves for hibernation. Bicaz Gorges – Hășmaș, Nerei Gorges, Beușnița and Călimani are just a few areas in Romania where brown bears are in large numbers. Once they feel threatened, brown bears will attack and become very aggressive.
European Bison (Zimbru)
The bison population was hunted to extinction in the 20th century. They have been reintroduced from several countries into reservations and zoos. They have developed and formed in large numbers, growing their population over time. However, they are still an endangered species. Romania hosts over 100 European bison in the Vânători Neamț Mountains, Țarcu Mountains and Poiana Ruscă Mountains. Prefers habitats that contain shrubs and grass.
These are just some of the most beautiful animals that can be found in Romania. Many other species make their mark throughout the country, such as the antelope goat, the Dalmatian pelican, the wild horses of the Danube Delta or the horned viper.
