Rome, a city steeped in history, is also a canvas for the vibrant evolution of its natural world. In recent years, the city’s wild inhabitants have made headlines, with surprising encounters that have left many Romans wondering what’s going on. This captivating trend is the focus of a fascinating exhibition at the city’s Zoology Museum, offering a window into the dynamic relationship between humans and the animals we share our urban environment with.
A City Under Siege?
The emergence of wolves on the outskirts of Rome – a sight unseen for over a century – sparked global interest. These canines, captured on camera at Castel di Guido, a nature reserve near Rome’s Fiumicino airport, are a testament to nature’s resilience. They weren’t the only wild creatures making their presence known. Wild boar, or cinghiali, were spotted roaming the streets of Trastevere, a historic district near the Tiber River, showcasing their boldness in venturing into the heart of the city. These encounters, documented by videos that quickly went viral, paint a picture of a changing landscape where the lines between nature and urban life are blurring.
Adding to Rome’s wildlife challenges, seagulls and starlings have become increasingly problematic, while the city’s longstanding rat population continues to thrive, despite claims by city officials to the contrary. These encounters, while seemingly inconvenient, are a sign of the city’s evolving ecosystem.
The City’s Natural Evolution: From Parks to Ruins
The “Diverso per Natura” exhibition at Rome’s Zoology Museum delves into the reasons behind this remarkable shift in animal behavior. The readily available discarded food, conveniently accessible from overflowing trash bags, serves as a major draw for birds and animals alike. The city’s warmer climate and the absence of natural predators also play a significant role in encouraging animals to venture into the city’s urban heart.
The exhibition, housed under the shadow of a whale skeleton, showcases the adaptations that wildlife has made to thrive in the city’s environment. Parks and ancient ruins offer alternative habitats for animals and birds, offering a glimpse into their urban transformation. The city’s green belt is a haven for diverse species, including over 1,300 wild plant species, 5,200 types of insects, 16 varieties of reptile, 140 different birds, and 33 species of mammal.
A Second Life: Preserving Nature’s Legacy
The museum’s collection features a captivating display of taxidermied animals, highlighting their adaptation to the city’s unique challenges. These creatures, once alive, have been carefully preserved, providing a valuable record of their interactions with humans and their urban surroundings. The exhibition, showcasing the precarious balance between humanity and nature, aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by wildlife in a rapidly urbanizing world.
A Glimpse into a World of Diversity
The exhibition uses the sandpiper, or fratino, as an example of the delicate balance that needs to be maintained between human activity and the natural world. This tiny wading bird, which nests on the shores of Rome, is threatened by human encroachment during its summer breeding season. The exhibition features a mother sandpiper with her chick, highlighting the vulnerability of these creatures and the importance of protecting their habitats.
The “Diverso per Natura” exhibition also explores the fate of animals that have become extinct in the Rome area, including the otter, or lontra, which disappeared due to pollution and human activity. In contrast, the nutria, a beaver-like rodent, has flourished in the city, becoming a familiar sight along the banks of the Tiber River. The exhibition highlights the resilience of some species, exemplified by the fox, or volpe, which has adapted remarkably well to its urban surroundings, even venturing into the city’s historic center.
A Legacy of Change: From Poaching to Preservation
The exhibition features a poignant display of animals that have succumbed to human activity, including a crane shot by a poacher during its migration to North Africa. The bullet that ended its life serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of poaching.
The exhibition also showcases the remarkable conservation efforts undertaken to protect the city’s wildlife. The successful campaign to relocate starlings from the city’s center to the sprawling Verano cemetery is a testament to the city’s commitment to protecting its wildlife. The return of the peregrine falcon, a species that faced extinction in the 1970s due to DDT contamination, is a source of hope and inspiration. The exhibition allows visitors to track the nesting activities of a pair of peregrine falcons on the roof of Sapienza University.
Urban Explorers: Adapting to a New Reality
The herring gull, a relative newcomer to Rome, has become a familiar sight in the city’s skies. Originally introduced to the city in 1971, the gulls now number an estimated 10,000 and are a testament to the city’s expanding urban landscape. Other urban adapters include the bright green parakeets, released from captivity in the 1970s and 1980s.
The exhibition concludes with a glimpse into the mysterious world of the city’s owls, essential for rodent control. Visitors can admire the five owl species on display, including the elusive barn owl, which can be spotted gliding under the moon at Villa Pamphilj.
A City in Transformation: A Look at the Future
The “Diverso per Natura” exhibition is a compelling reminder of the dynamic and often surprising relationship between humans and the wildlife that shares our urban spaces. The exhibition serves as a call to action, urging visitors to be more mindful of their impact on the city’s environment and to appreciate the importance of protecting wildlife in a rapidly changing world.
The “Diverso per Natura” exhibition runs until January 15, 2019, at the Museo Civico di Zoologia di Roma, Via Ulisse Aldrovandi 18. This captivating display offers a unique perspective on the city’s dynamic relationship with its wildlife and is sure to spark conversations about the future of our shared urban environment.
