Located inside the Carpathian Arch, the county of Sibiu offers a wide variety of leisure activities. Apart from historical ruins, medieval fortresses and churches of exquisite beauty, the County of Sibiu is also a favorite destination for hunters. It’s for this reason that Romania’s first hunting museum was founded in Sibiu. Director Rodica Ciobanu took us on a tour around the museum, former residence of colonel August von Spiess, who used to organise the royal hunting parties. We asked Rodica Ciobanu to tell us about the museum’s main attractions:
“The museum’s collection is typical of the late 19th century, when the manner of demonstrating the existence of a species of bird or mammal was to display it in a museum. The museum has five rooms, each of which has a different theme. Two of these rooms are particularly interesting. In the memorial room, for example, we tried to reconstruct Spiess’s own room. Here, visitors can find out more about the story of the Colonel’s dog, which saved his life. Another interesting room is that dedicated to hunting in Africa. When he was in his 70s, Spiess traveled to Africa to hunt there. On one of his safaris he was lucky enough to be accompanied by Margarethe Trappe, Africa’s top professional hunter. Visitors can admire trophies from exotic animals, and can become acquainted with the story behind each exhibit.”
The museum was completely refurbished not so long ago, and re-opened in 2007. It also boasts a very beautiful courtyard, where the Colonel used to breed wild animals. Actually Romania’s first zoo, set up in Sibiu, owes its existence entirely to Colonel August Von Spiess and his donations.
“The museum revolves around the story of August Von Spiess. Here we can become acquainted with all his family. Young girls usually play with dolls, yet the Colonel’s daughters played with wild bears and wolves. The Colonel’s daughters were famous as they used to walk around accompanied not by dogs, but by little bears. Though there’s much more to be said about the museum, I trust that we’ve managed to whet your interest. Should you visit Sibiu, you’re sure to spend unforgettable moments visiting the museum.”
Many people see hunting as a primitive and bloody sport, a sensitive topic for many. The outcome of the hunt is always the same: the hunter pulls the trigger and the animal falls to the ground. We asked Rodica Ciobanu what she would say to a visitor who disapproved of hunting.
“When I started work as a curator in this museum, as a specialist who was close to nature, I winced at the sight of so many dead animals. Yet reading more on the topic, I found out that as long as man continues to upset the balance of nature, it’s the hunter who can redress the balance for the animal population. Just imagine that had it not been for hunting, wolves could multiply so much they can jeopardize not only other animal species, but also people. Just think that a diseased stag can breed and contribute to the degeneration of the entire species. A hunter who knows a bit about nature, by killing that diseased stag, can secure a healthy population of animals. It might be tough, but that’s the way it is. In the past, and to an extent today, too, you could only study an animal in a museum. Take the lynx, for instance. August Von Spiess hunted a single Lynx, which can now be found in the hunting museum. A specialist studying the animal paid us a visit last week, and asked us to allow him to take some DNA samples, so that he could investigate the evolution of this species. He was delighted to have the chance to take sure a sample.”
The Sibiu Local Forestry Authority has already announced the start of the hunting season, and is waiting for tourists to arrive. Marin Valeanu, hunting operations director within the organization, told us that they are also promoting two other similar leisure activities: fishing and forest tourism. He also told us that non-Romanian residents require a letter of invitation from the Forestry Authority in order to take advantage of the leisure opportunities in this area. Travel agencies also offer holiday packages for those interested in this kind of tourism.
“We have ten lodges in the mountains, as well as in the foothills, that can accommodate a total of 100 visitors. The lodges are equipped with everything a hunter or tourist might need. For hunters everywhere, Sibiu is a great place to hunt for chamois. Many visitors over the years have become familiar with the rich bird fauna and the stunning landscapes of Sibiu County. The most sought after game are the chamois, the Western Cappercaillie, deer, wild boars, wolves and bears. As for sports fishing, we have a 10 euro daily charge for fishing in mountain rivers. We can also take groups of four to six people on tours around the forest to observe wildlife. Taking photos costs an additional 100 euros, while shooting video costs 200 euros per day.”
For professionals, hunting is not just a sport, but a calling, a special bond with nature. For them, hunting is more than just a hobby. However, it is costly and time-consuming. No matter how ardent their passion is, hunters have to take great care when it comes to their activities, and can only hunt within legally-set limits in order to ensure that no species is threatened. It is more important to control what game and where people hunt, rather than how much. The sense of achievement comes from the sportsmanlike manner in which the animal is hunted, rather than the number of trophies on one's wall.
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2010-09-06
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