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I normally would write about creepy crawlies in this section. There are spiders, the odd snake, and huge May bugs... in May, but nothing to write home about and nothing you would not expect to find in the English country side - so if your an Ozzie or for from North America, you will find far less to worry about here in the creepy crawly department. Under Ceausescu, killing a bear was a crime that carried a higher penalty than killing a man ( you got hung twice or something?). So between 1940 and 1989 no one dared to kill a bear, no matter how many sheep they were steeling. Instead they armed them selves with up to 8 large dogs per flock to scare the bears and wolves away. After 1989 the bears became a protected species and so it is still not allowed to kill a bear. So the ever so scary sheep dogs are alive and well. The wolves are out there as well. It is estimated there over 5,000 wolves and 5,000 bears in Romania.
The bears are more famous in the middle of the country around Brasov. They come into the town and have been known to walk around inside the commie blocks as they are known. There a bit more shy in Maramures. As with everything in Maramures, they didn't show much respect to the Communist laws under Ceausescu and so many bears did get killed in Maramures but there are still here and if your unlucky enough you can come across one.
If you do, what ever you do, don't try and scare it. They are super strong and will not be scared of your show or strength. All they will be worried about is you attacking their cubs. So if you see a mother with her cubs. Stop and start to walk backwards slowly. The bear will probably just watch you and as long as you slowly back track will leave you be. Wolves hunt alone in the summer and so will be the same but in the winter they form a pack and can be dangerous if you meet a hungry pack up in the mountains in the winter.
Fire is a good idea, if you have a lighter on you, you can light your wellington boot and put it on the end of your walking stick. Drastic measure but it works apparently. If your read Along the Enchanted way by William Blacker it will tell you some stories of wolves and bears in Breb. Having said all that. I have never seen a bear in Maramures or heard a wolf. They do exist here but the tend to stay high on the mountain and never come down into the village.
The sheep dogs are what you want to be worried about. They are every where up the mountain as they are protecting the flocks in the summer and when you meet 8 of them all at once it is a scary moment of your life. I have had the pleasure of sheep dogs several times whilst rambling through the land above the village looking for the perfect plot for our cabanas. I have never been attached but is is very scary non the less. When they run at you. Don't run. Stay still, look calm and non attacking. Through them some bread and they will know you mean no harm. Never walk towards the sheep, if you don't know where the sheep are, don't walk. As long as you do not work more than half an hour up from the village you should not meet the sheep dogs. If you do, we will have recommend you have a local guide with you who knows the dogs by name and the whistles of the Sheppard's. A walking stick is a must if you go into these areas on your own as they will attack the end of your stick if they do choose to have a go. As I have said I have walked the mountain for months on end, summer and winter, have met many dogs and thought I was going to dye, but as of yet have not been touched by one and so again, it sounds all very scary and not a good idea, but as long was you let us know your plans we'll make sure your walking in safe areas or with a guide.
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