Travelling through Transylvania recently I bumped in to a fellow traveller from the UK. In passing I mentioned to her that some local Shepherds had been having problems with a bear attacking their sheep. She thought I was pulling her leg...

Transylvania boasts an ecosystem that is unique in Europe, and species of flora and fauna seen here have not been seen in other parts of Europe since Medieval times. Encompassed by the protective barrier of The Carpathian Mountains, the four main cultural groups, Romanians, Hungarians(Szeklers), German speaking Saxons and Gypsies, have flourished with little outside influence.

Village life and traditional agricultural practices are interlinked with local geography, climate and the Seasons. Most work is done by hand or by simple tools, and the main source of power comes from the horse, or oxen. This interdependence, and the resulting semi-natural landscape comes from good husbandry practiced over centuries.

However, this is now under threat. Over regulation by the EU, Government inertia in seeking exemption from EU guidelines, abandonment or intensification of land use, and lack of awareness of the cultural, historical and scientific importance of the regions are all bringing pressure to bare on this unique heritage.