Bear (and Wolf) watching Romania (2 Viewers)

[jjaw]

Hi!
I tried to revive an old thread on this topic, but was told the thread is 'over 606 days old' and cannot reply.
So, I figured I will make a new one:

I am thinking of going to Romania for a while next Summer, I live with a Romanian here and he has invited me to Bucharest.
Guessing that is a bit vague, particularly as the city is Huge.
Alternatively there may be a way of getting to Ramnicu Valcea, as his parents live there.

Does anyone have any advice on where to look/whom to speak to for bear (and wolf) watching within reasonable distances of either of those two cities?

I would be happy to go with an experienced person (i.e. organised tour or local person willing to take us), and would hopefully be able to convince my flatmate to come (he is not really the nature type traditionally...), so language would hopefully also not be an issue.

I would love an opportunity to get close enough for photos! :t:
Also, would such a tour be expensive?

Cheers
J

 

[Zheljko]

I think I once saw a documentary about bears and wolves coming to a city in Romania (I think it was Romania? maybe Bulgaria) to look for garbage. Bears were relocated, I think. The radiocollared mother wolf spent the wee hours in a park exactly like one I live in (where my building is located ), checking the dumpsters. On her way back to the woods at dawn she passed by the bus stop just like one in our neighborhood. If she was seen by someone, I guess they would mistake her for a large dog (and she had a collar).

 

[dantheman]

You can revive an old thread - there is just a tick box at the bottom you have to tick.

Sorry can't help with your request though (although there is a 'where to see wolves' thread on bf at the moment).

 

[jjaw]

I think I once saw a documentary about bears and wolves coming to a city in Romania (I think it was Romania? maybe Bulgaria) to look for garbage. Bears were relocated, I think. The radiocollared mother wolf spent the wee hours in a park exactly like one I live in (where my building is located ), checking the dumpsters. On her way back to the woods at dawn she passed by the bus stop just like one in our neighborhood. If she was seen by someone, I guess they would mistake her for a large dog (and she had a collar).

HAHA! Made my day!
'would mistake her for a large dog' - brilliant! Wish that were the case here in Scotland. Maybe with Wolves at least...
The Urban bears are intriguing, my flatmate has shown me videos. So that appears an option. Of course the dream is to see them in as natural a surrounding as possible.
Delve into their world, if you like, as opposed to seeing them bound to ours.

You can revive an old thread - there is just a tick box at the bottom you have to tick.

Sorry can't help with your request though (although there is a 'where to see wolves' thread on bf at the moment).

Thanks, will look for it the next time!
Is a shame, as there were a few responses, just not for the area I was looking for. =)
Regarding wolves: I will have to have a look at that thread. It is the bears I am after, but wolves are high on my to see list as well!

 

[dantheman]

Thanks, will look for it the next time!
Is a shame, as there were a few responses, just not for the area I was looking for. =)
Regarding wolves: I will have to have a look at that thread. It is the bears I am after, but wolves are high on my to see list as well!

No worries, and should have linked at the time - in case you had trouble finding it

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=265335

 

[jjaw]

No worries, and should have linked at the time - in case you had trouble finding it

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=265335

Thanks!
Ironically started by the same person that started the other Romanian Bear thread!

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Seen bear at the rubbish tip in Brasov - good views but not exactly natural surroundings. Not sure what the current situation is.

 

[JCL]

Carpathian Nature Tours run bear trips out of Zarnesti. Pensiune Elena is a guesthouse that can also organise trips. I have an article in next month's Wild Travel magazine that has bear-watching as part of a Romania short break.

 

[Steve Babbs]

Seen bear at the rubbish tip in Brasov - good views but not exactly natural surroundings. Not sure what the current situation is.

The current situation seems to be they're not there any more. They are near Zanesti, although I haven't seen them in two visits. There is somewhere where you can go to a baited hide. I'll try to dig out the details.

 

[Steve Babbs]

That was easier than I thought it would be.

[email protected]

 

[jjaw]

Cheers for the continuous updates!

Brasov was mentioned by one of my other Romanian friends when it came up in passing.
We will have to see what the situation is nearer the time I guess!

Zarnesti looks like somewhere to look into!
Also Transylvania is on my travel list for the historical side anyway - looks like a good way to combine things!

Cheers for the email address Steve! Was it expensive to spend a day in the hide?

 

[Steve Babbs]

Cheers for the continuous updates!

Brasov was mentioned by one of my other Romanian friends when it came up in passing.
We will have to see what the situation is nearer the time I guess!

Zarnesti looks like somewhere to look into!
Also Transylvania is on my travel list for the historical side anyway - looks like a good way to combine things!

Cheers for the email address Steve! Was it expensive to spend a day in the hide?

I didn't actually do it: I decided to try to find them in a more 'natural' way. The quote was 70 Euros per group + 25 Euros for a camera. It's a really nice area and Brasov is a great city. I've had a couple of fun nights out there; even if no bears!

http://www.stevebabbs.com/home/trip-reports/2011romania

http://www.stevebabbs.com/home/trip-reports/2013romania

 

[jjaw]

I didn't actually do it: I decided to try to find them in a more 'natural' way. The quote was 70 Euros per group + 25 Euros for a camera. It's a really nice area and Brasov is a great city. I've had a couple of fun nights out there; even if no bears!

http://www.stevebabbs.com/home/trip-reports/2011romania

http://www.stevebabbs.com/home/trip-reports/2013romania

Hmm, quite expensive. :/
Apparently there are some schools that have set up hides for Biology projects, so will try and find out more and get a romanian speaker to contact them.
Don't want to scream Tourist right out the box, might help me with cheaper access =)

City looks grand, cheers for sharing the links!
Think it will be a good trip (as long as it materialises) any which way!

 

[jjaw]

Carpathian Nature Tours run bear trips out of Zarnesti. Pensiune Elena is a guesthouse that can also organise trips. I have an article in next month's Wild Travel magazine that has bear-watching as part of a Romania short break.

Just realised I never acknowledged this!
Would that be the current issue of Wild Travel Magazine?