Note – this is currently classed as a future destination with no links. Hopefully this will change soon
These mountains are split between Serbia and Bulgaria. Rare species in these mountains include cinereous vultures can be seen soaring above. Among the dozens of other raptor species Eastern imperial eagle, Saker falcon, Levant sparrowhawk, Peregrine falcon and several other eagles can also be found. The whole region is also a stronghold within Bulgaria for wolf and jackal.
In the Bulgarian Rhodope mountains there are some of the last Balkan lynx thought to number 50.
The Serbian Alps are part of the Dinaric Alps, which lie in the South eastern part of the continent. This mountain range includes a significant part of the country.4 different mountain ranges lie in this country. This will mean that this country will feature in a variety of mountain range pages. In the East of the country, the great Carpathian mountain chain also lies, along with the Balkan mountains chain. Finally the Rila-Rhodope mountain system lies in the far South of the country. This wide range of mountains, not surprisingly, mean that much of the country remains wild, meaning that the country could support large populations of various wildlife.
A view of the Serbian Alps
Wolves are not treated well, with these animals widely shot poisoned and trapped. As such, the remaining population of around 500 wild wolves, seems higher than we should expect. Increased tourism might well lead to a more nuanced discussion over these predators.
Bears are unfortunately even less healthy from a population standpoint in the country, with a population of 50-60. Never the less, if well treated, bear populations are capable of bouncing back relatively quickly. These bears form a bigger population with countries in the area. As such, genetically they are more healthy than these numbers might lead people to think.
Serbia contains part of the range of the Balkan Lynx which is spread across Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Croatia and possibly even Northern Greece. Given that this entire population numbers only around 60-120 in size, it is incredibly rare.
Only a small portion of the Carpathians lie within Czech republic. Furthermore, Czech republic is part of a block of countries in Europe with small populations of the big predators, which combined with their fondness for hunting is one of the reason that wildlife has had such a problem repopulating western Europe. However they are slowly returning.
Wolves were first spotted after their return in 1990, however, it was not until around 2010 when they started making progress. and currently have a population of around 100 within the countries borders.
There are not thought to be any bears living permanently in the country, but as there is a healthy population in Slovakia, they wonder across the border regularly – as such, it is entirely possible that eventually bears will settle full time.
Lynx are thought to have a population of around 80 Lynx within the borders of the country
As with other countries on the list, tourists visiting with the hope of seeing these animals can make a big difference to their future prospects.
Most of the Czech Republic is covered by low hills and plains, though much of the border of the country consists of mountains. Being part of this block of countries in Europe, the residents of the Czech republic have enjoyed hunting, as a result its only in recent years that they have been allowed to return. Whether these populations will be allowed to continue to exist we will wait to see, never-the-less if the population is allowed to return in central Europe, it will allow the Eastern and Western European populations of wolves bears and lynx to reconnect and allow a healthier genetic population.
Lying in the South West of Bulgaria, the Pirin mountains are stunning
With populations of bears wolves and Jackals, it is a wonderful place to go looking for wild adventures. Boar deer and Chamois can be seen at different times of the day (though in places where predators lurk, expect to see prey less often in Europe), and 159 recorded bird species here, including eagles, hawks, owls, grouse, and woodpeckers (this is around 1/3 of all the birds in Bulgaria
The Drakensberg mountains run for a distance of 700 miles. Despite the fact that the width varies, this is still a huge area. Much of this area will have human encroachment, whether through hiking or business interests which might threaten wildlife more.
The large animals most commonly seen in the Drakensberg are the Eland – a giant antelope, Mountain Reedbuck, Grey Rhebuck and Oribi. Jackal, Genet and Civet are not uncommon. Baboons are found throughout the mountain areas, with Vervet monkeys found at lower altitudes.
This mountain range is long, and while it has some brief breaks, it continues for 1500 miles along the Nothern coast of Africa, from Morroco, through Algeria to Tunisia.
Barbary Macaque
This area was once an incredibly wild area, and while only some of the former animals which lived here still survive, there is great efforts going into returning the missing ones back to the wild, either from captive descendants, or from closely related species.
Animals that still survive, include, Barbary Macaques (8000-10,000 but declining), Barbary Stag
Barbary leopards (in 1996 it was estimated that only 5 remained, it is unlikely that any are left), Barbary stag (not extinct, still found in quite a few places, but hard to get accurate estimates on numbers), Barbary sheep (listed as endangered, there are thought to be between 5000-10,000 remaining in the wild), Atlas mountain badger, Cuvier’s gazelle (thought to number no more than 2000 spread widely in the Atlas mountains) Northern bald Ibis (over 1000 live in zoos, but in the wild almost all of the 500 wild birds live in Morocco, at Souss-Massa National Park), Algerian nuthatch (thought to have a wild population of under 1000), dippers (the only species if Dipper in Africa) and Atlas mountain viper (this species is only near threatened, making it the safest species on this list).
There are a variety of species that are extinct:
Barbary lions: (the north African lion was a popular species to hunt, there is thought to be around 100 in zoos around the world – probably not pure Barbary but as close as possible. There are vague plans to reintroduce them, but it remains to be seen if that can happen)
Atlas bear: (last one reportedly shot in 1870, it does not appear that they did well in captivity, whether a closely related bear might fill the evolutionary niche is questionable)
North African Elephant: closely related to the living African elephant species, it is therefore possible that a population could be re-established in this region. Proper genetic analysis is necessary, in order to work out which living species is the closes relation.
Scimitar horned Oryx: It is thought that the numbers fell both because over-hunting and climate change making their hard life harder. There are 1800 left in the world but most of these are in captivity. A small population has been reintroduced in Chad, it should be possible to return them to the Atlas mountains without too much effort.
Bubal Hartebeest: extinction date was officially declared in 1994, though it is thought to have been extinct in some regions since 1920, though it is thought the last Algerian specimen was killed between 1945 and 1954. There are a variety of living species which could fill in the ecological niche and behave in the same way (Liechtenstein or red hartebeest).
Andes Cordillera, the longest continuous mountain range on earth
The Andes Cordillera is an enormous area. Containing a wide range of mammals including the vicuna, Guanaco, Llama and the Alpaca. Some other native animals include the Yellow-tailed woolly monkey, Chinchilla, Taruca, Huemul, South American fox, and the mountain Tapir. Currently, only 23% of it is protected, so this is a wilderness area where visits are important to encourage the local governments to do more to protect the area. The Andes Mountains line the western edge of the South American continent. Running from Venezuela all the way along Chile, to the southern tip of South America, crossing through Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.
Below is a video from one of the protected areas in this mountain range. There are plenty more.
This is a huge range of mountains. Please click here if you are wanting to look at the cloud forests of Peru Ecuador and Columbia which lie in this mountain range
Below is a sightings map for the whole of the Andes.
It is estimated that 15 million people live in areas which would be flooded, should glacial lakes collapse. As global warming increases the temperatures in these areas, these glacial lake ...
Wall on the border of Denmark Denmark is to build a wall/fence along its border with Germany, to stop boar from Germany crossing over as these animals ...
It is estimated that 15 million people live in areas which would be flooded, should glacial lakes collapse. As global warming increases the temperatures in these areas, these glacial lake ...
Wall on the border of Denmark Denmark is to build a wall/fence along its border with Germany, to stop boar from Germany crossing over as these animals ...
It is estimated that 15 million people live in areas which would be flooded, should glacial lakes collapse. As global warming increases the temperatures in these areas, these glacial lake ...
Wall on the border of Denmark Denmark is to build a wall/fence along its border with Germany, to stop boar from Germany crossing over as these animals ...
This is a large forested mountain range in southwest Germany boarded by the Rhine valley to the west and close to the borders with France and Switzerland. Both the source of the Danube and Nekar river is in this mountain range. With a length of around 100 miles at an area of over 2,300 square miles it is a significant patch of wilderness.
With wolves just returning to the country, their migration into the black forest is only just beginning. Indeed, while in recent years it was known that there were a couple of lone males in the reserve, a lone female has recently been seen – suggesting that it is highly likely young wolf cubs will arrive in the next few years. Other than the wolves there are boar, lynx, otters, foxes, red and roe deer and a variety of other animals.
Pureto princesa subterranean river national park, Philipenes
Located in the St Paul mountain range on the west coast of the island of Palawan, the park contains the Puerto princesa subterranean river. 165 species of bird have been recorded in the park including the blue naped parrot and this Tabon scrub-fowl. There are also a total of 30 mammal species recorded, the long-tailed macaque is most often seen in the forest canopy or looking for food along the sea shore at low tide. Other mammals include the Palawan bearded pig, the Palawan stink badger and the Palawan porcupine. There are also a list of 19 reptiles which include the common reticulated python, the monitor lizard, and the green crested lizard.
A wild mountain range of high areas the carve through the Iberian peninsula is being slowly rewilded. Still housing forests of oak pine and Juniper, the area still feels ancient.
Many species were lost from this area but are being reintroduced. Wild bears and wolves yet to return the Iberian lynx is back along with both Egyptian and Griffin vultures.
The area covered is large, consisting of over 850,000 hectares (more than half of this is officially protected). There are a variety of other interesting birds in the area, as well as deer, wild boar and mouflon. As a result of a reducing human population since the 1960s, nature tourism is increasingly important for the local economy. A network of 14 old growth forest reserves have also been created totaling about 2000 hectares, which are fascinating to explore and incredibly important for carbon sequestration.
Visit to help ensure that this project continues and the locals benefit from its wok
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