Horse and Wolves

The video was recorded near Rome in the Abruzzo region. A pack of 6 wolves approaches a horse. This extraordinary film was captured by Fabrizio Giammatteo.

Gran Sasso National Park: Paradise without Hobby Hunters

The Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Europe without hobby hunters. It covers an area of 2’014 square kilometres across the provinces of Teramo, L’Aquila and Pescara in the Abruzzo region, approximately 132 km from Rome.

The park was established in 1991 around the Gran Sasso massif, whose highest peak is the Corno Grande at 2’912 metres, and is a paradise for nature lovers and active holidaymakers.

Species-rich Diversity without Hunting

Surrounded by beech, fir and chestnut forests, the park offers one of the most species-rich areas in Europe, with 300 kilometres of trails to explore on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike.

The park has more than 2’000 plant species, some of which occur exclusively in this area, such as the Abruzzo edelweiss. The park is home to many species of wildlife, including chamois, bears, wolves, deer, wildcats, wild boar, foxes and squirrels. Among the birds, the golden eagle, the white-backed woodpecker, the goshawk, the buzzard and the peregrine falcon are some of the most remarkable.

Sheep herds guarded by sheepdogs, cattle herds and semi-wild horses graze the lower slopes of the Gran Sasso from spring to autumn. The pastures are covered with meadow grasses and wildflowers. The pastoral way of life has always been a part of this area, as evidenced by the numerous dry-stone walls, shelters, farmhouses and rock churches.