33% of the region's entire area is under environmental protection, the highest percentage of any region in Europe.
This is an Abruzzo chamois. There are other species characteristic of the region such as the Apennine wolf and the Marsican Brown bear.
The Nature Reserves page contains a summary of some of the main nature reserves of Abruzzo, and indicates which birds and animals are to be found in each one. You can search for the location of animals and birds with the Animal Search or the Bird Search page.

There are three National parks, (the National Park of Gran Sasso-Laga, the National Park of Abruzzo and the National Park of Maiella), a regional park (Park of Sirente-Velino) and more than 30 nature reserves and oases.
Villa Mandorla is just on the edge of the National Park of Gran Sasso-Laga.
This is a photo of Castel Cerreto, a beautifully peaceful little nature reserve, just twenty minutes from Villa Mandorla.

Abruzzo is marvellous for birdwatching. So far, in the garden or from the balcony, we have seen honey buzzards, hoopoes, jays, woodpeckers, goshawks, lanner falcons, tits, rock sparrows, goldfinches, hooded crows, a black redstart and many others. Alpine swifts perform aerobatics every night in June over the pool!
Many varieties of owl can also be heard (and seen) at night. We also had a very likely golden eagle spotting! You need your binoculars and camera handy at all times!

Butterflies are common, including large colourful swallowtails, and fireflies add a touch of magic to the evening in the early summer.