It is a subspecies found only in the central Apennines. The 2026 estimate counts about 80, slightly increasing, and some range beyond the Park, as far as the Monte Genzana Nature Reserve. If you meet one, these are the Park’s guidelines.
It depends on the distance
- It is more than 500 metres away. Enjoy the sighting, standing still and quiet.
- It is less than 500 metres away and has not seen you. Move away without running, going back the way you came.
- It is less than 500 metres away and has seen you. If it does not move off, you do, without running: go back or step off the trail to let it pass.
- It stands up on its hind legs. It is not threatening you: it is trying to work out who you are, because its eyesight is poor. Move away calmly.
- It comes towards you, huffing. It probably feels threatened, and usually it only bluff-charges. Stay calm and speak in a low voice. Move slowly and put an object between you and the bear, such as your backpack. Then move away without running.
What you never do
- Never follow it: not to film it, not to see it better, not to chase it off. If it gets trapped between the houses of a village it becomes very stressed and may react unpredictably.
- Never feed it, and never leave food or rubbish around. A bear used to human food keeps coming back to villages, and that is dangerous above all for the bear.
- Do not approach a cub, even if it seems to be alone. The mother is almost always nearby. Move away and alert the Park Rangers or the Carabinieri Forestali (forest police).
If you see one in a village or from your car
- On summer nights some bears come down towards Scanno and Villalago looking for food. The same rules apply: keep your distance, do not follow it, no food. If you see one near houses, a henhouse or a vegetable garden, alert the Park Rangers or the Carabinieri Forestali.
- In the car: stop, dip your headlights and let it go. Never follow it by car. In and around the Park drive slowly, day and night: it is good practice not to go above 50 km/h, whatever the speed limit.
The full guidelines are on the Park’s website (in Italian): rules of behaviour and useful advice. Before you head out, also read Before you go.