A typical alpine fauna and flora
In addition to the coniferous forests, the mountainous regions of Friuli offer a great variety of mountain flowers. In the Friulian Dolomites, edelweiss, wild orchids and gentians bloom, while in the Carinthian Alps one can observe an endemic species, the Wulfenia carinthiaca
, whose clusters of white or royal blue flowers bloom throughout the summer. Mammals include deer, roe deer, chamois, foxes, marmots and many mustelids (badgers, ermine). The mountains are also home to birds of prey (golden eagle, falcon, black grouse), vipers and amphibians (alpine salamander, alpine newt).The return of the brown bear
Once present throughout the Italian Alps, the brown bear (Ursus arctos) was practically eradicated after the Second World War due to hunting. In 1996, its sporadic presence in Italy is attested only in Friuli, near the Slovenian border. It was at this time that the country inaugurated the Life Ursus
plan with the support of the European Union: several individuals from neighboring Slovenia were reintroduced into the Adamello Brenta natural park in Trentino. The species has adapted well to its new environment, as indicated by its numerical growth (between 82 and 93 bears and cubs in 2019) and its territorial expansion: the bear has in fact been spotted beyond the boundaries of the park, in the neighboring mountainous regions of Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto and Lombardy.In Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the number of bears is now estimated at between 10 and 20 individuals, concentrated in the north-east in the Tarvisio area. These are mainly males from Slovenia that have crossed the border in search of new hunting grounds, no reproduction has been recorded. However, the bear seems to be interested in exploring new areas because in recent years it has ventured to the western borders of Friuli.
TheUrsus arctos of the Alps is the largest carnivore in Italy. An adult is about 2 m long and its weight varies greatly depending on the individual (90 to 200 kg for a female, 130 to 350 kg for a male), and it can run up to 50 km/h. Don't panic though, there is little chance that you will cross its path during a walk: the animal does not consider man as a prey and tries rather to avoid him. Thanks to its highly developed sense of smell and hearing, it will have spotted you before you even see it.The revival of wildlife
Since the beginning of the 21st century, several species have reappeared in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Some of them are in danger of extinction, so this is an encouraging signal for the preservation of species.
This is the case of the wolf which made its return to Friuli a few years ago. Four to six packs, originating from the Apennines and the Balkan area, have been identified in the Piedmont of the Carnic Alps and the Dolomites. A birth of cubs in the regional territory was recorded in 2018, the first in 90 years.
Another mythical mountain animal: the lynx. But this big cat with pointed ears remains very rare: it is estimated that 40 to 50 specimens live in the Italian Alps. The lynx does not know borders either, and it is the rare and discreet lynxes from Slovenia and Austria that can be observed - or more likely their footprints in the snow - in the Tarvisio region, on the edge of the Carnic Alps. An attempt to reintroduce the species took place in 2014: a pair of lynx was released in the Friulian Alps, but it seems to have preferred the Austrian air because it quickly returned to the border to make only rare appearances on the Italian side.
Less known than the wolf and less emblematic of the mountains than the lynx, the golden jackal is nevertheless one of the most widespread canids in the world. On the European continent, its range is gradually expanding from the Balkans and Eastern Europe to the west, with the golden jackal establishing itself where there are few or no wolves. In Friuli-Venezia Giulia, packs of golden jackals became established in the Julian Alps in the early 21st century, and individuals have been sighted in the Carnic Alps and beyond the borders of Friuli, in Veneto and Lombardy, indicating the slow but steady expansion of the species. The golden jackal can reach 15 kg and measures between 70 and 85 cm without the tail. It has a tawny coat, with a black back and tail, and looks like a small wolf, with which it shares a pack lifestyle.
If there is one animal whose image is attached to the Alps, it is the ibex (Capra ibex). However, it almost disappeared in the 19th century. It is thanks to King Victor-Emmanuel II that the species survived: he created the royal reserve of Gran Paradiso, in the Valle d'Aosta, and prohibited the hunting of the ibex. Thanks to reintroduction programs, the species is no longer in danger of extinction and Italy currently has about 17,000 specimens. The ibex is a rock animal; with its robust legs and resistant hooves, it climbs steep cliffs and steep walls. The males are characterized by their curved horns which can reach 1 m in length at adulthood. They live in small herds, while the females form separate herds with their kids. During the breeding season, they group together and the dominant males fight each other with their loud horns.The Friulian lagoons, a paradise for birds
The lagoons of Marano and Grado occupy a depression between the mouth of the Tagliamento and the delta of the Isonzo. In this setting of marshes, canals and islets, shrubby and herbaceous vegetation, punctuated by maritime pines, dominates theAmmophila arenaria, commonly known as oyat or sea reed, a perennial grass characteristic of the dune landscape. Much rarer since it is endemic to the Venetian coastline, theApocynum venetum
is a small shrub with pink or purple bell-shaped flowers. The waters of the lagoons are rich in fish and shellfish. The lagoons are a refuge for many migratory birds from central and northern Europe, as well as for sedentary species. Birdwatchers can observe heron, egret, teal, marsh harrier, wild goose, mallard and tern.
