Romania may lack some of the developments – social, agricultural, industrial etc – that have swept across northern and western Europe but the slow pace of change has been a positive benefit for wildlife. Species that have declined or even become extinct elsewhere still prosper in Romania. From the humble tree sparrow – on the verge of extinction in Britain for example – to the white pelican – Romania boasts the largest breeding population outside of Africa – to the largest population of Brown Bear in Europe – there are countless examples. Along with this of course is the preservation – albeit unintentional in many cases – of large tracts of pristine or virtually unspoiled habitats.