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.

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.

Wild boar are quite common in Abruzzo and they are hunted. You will often find 'cinghiale' on the menu in restaurants, especially in a pasta sauce. (Photo courtesy of Eva Hejda.)

There are also plenty of interesting smaller-scale examples of Abruzzo wildlife. Here is a praying mantis that we spotted while on a walk....

....and we saved this beautiful bright green gekko from the pool filter.

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