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What happened at Villetta Barrea
ANSA reports that the incident took place on the morning of Thursday 17 September 2026 at Villetta Barrea, a lakeside village in the province of L'Aquila. The village sits inside the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. The tourist, a 57-year-old man, approached a deer to take a selfie. The deer charged him and sent him to hospital with abdominal trauma. He received emergency care. The report does not say how close he got or what happened to the animal. The location is not a zoo. It is a national park, and the deer are wild.
How to behave around deer in Italian parks
Do not walk toward a deer for a photo. Use the zoom on your phone or camera and stay on the path. Keep a wide buffer, especially if the animal is feeding or with young. If a deer stops eating and looks directly at you, back away slowly. Do not run, and do not block its escape route. The same rule applies to other wildlife in the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. If you are planning a visit from Rome, treat it as a full-day trip or an overnight, not a quick stop. Check park advice before you set out, because some trails and access roads can close after bad weather. Our Rome guide covers transport and day-trip planning.
Best tours and tickets in Rome
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Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour
Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour
Rome 3 in 1 Cooking Class: Fettuccine, Ravioli & Tiramisu
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Frequently asked questions
What happened at Villetta Barrea in Abruzzo National Park?
Should visitors approach deer in Abruzzo National Park for photos?
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Read more →All prices and times on this page are ESTIMATES and change often. They are a starting point from an independent editor, never official or guaranteed figures. Always check the final price and the opening hours with the official venue or operator before you book or travel.
Rules, timetables, fares and passenger rights change, and this page is a summary, not an official source or legal advice. Check the official operator or authority before you book or travel, and treat anything critical to your trip as something to confirm, not to assume. Last reviewed: 2026-09-17.
