Romania is considered by many to be the lungs of Europe. Indeed, it is home to nearly 500,000 hectares of primary forests, a record within the European Union. A primary forest, also called a “virgin forest”, is a forest that has not been exploited or cleared by man, or at least not for some time.
However, this European natural treasure is in danger. Deforestation, pillaging, global warming… so many dangers that await this wild and fragile environment. The teams of “We, the Europeans” (X) went there to meet those who are fighting against these scourges.
A difficult reintroduction of wild animals
> THE BIG REPORT
The last European bison were exterminated in the 1930s. Extinct in the wild, they have today been reintroduced into one of the last primary forests in Europe, that of the Făgăraș mountains, in the Southern Carpathians, Romania.
A challenge launched by a private foundation which has invested to protect this unique forest, threatened by deforestation. Bison, bears, wolves… a return to the wild world which does not happen without clashes with the local population.
A report by Alexandre Paré, Philippe Maire and Vincent Magnier.
> THE PLATEAU
A member of the European Union and NATO, Romania is on the front line of the war in Ukraine. For “We, the Europeans”, Pierre Monégier goes to the Danube, the natural border between the two countries, which has become a highly strategic area.
The river is today the scene of intense maritime traffic so that Ukrainians can continue to sell their grain to the whole world. River ports have become targets for Russian army drones, causing great concern among Romanian villagers who are also exposed to these strikes.
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