Europe was once a continent of trees, with primary forests covering as much as 80% of its land.

Today, less than 1% remains. Much of this precious wilderness survives in Romania’s mountains, where ancient forests face growing threats from illegal logging and organised timber crime.

These old-growth forests have endured ice ages and dramatic climatic changes, making them living records of Europe’s natural history. Yet corruption, illegal clear-cutting and timber mafias are putting them at risk.

Trees that have stood for centuries are being felled for timber used in construction and everyday furniture.

Defending these forests can be dangerous. Activists face intimidation, stalking and physical attacks for speaking out.

Among them is Gabriel Paun, founder of Agent Green, who has spent more than a decade investigating illegal logging and fighting to protect Europe’s remaining wilderness. His dedication has earned international recognition, including being named a United Nations Champion of the Earth. Through undercover investigations, Agent Green has helped save almost 60,000 hectares of ancient forest that might otherwise have been lost.

Now, technology is offering a new way to help protect these irreplaceable ecosystems.

The BioT is a specialised chainsaw-detection system designed to pick up the sound of illegal logging. Using a 360-degree microphone, satellite connectivity and dedicated software, it can detect a chainsaw from up to one kilometre away, helping rangers respond to threats more quickly.

But the technology can do more than listen for destruction. Equipped with an AI chip, it can also recognise bird calls and other natural sounds, identify the species living in the forest and help build a biodiversity map. This information provides valuable insight into the health of the ecosystem and the wildlife it supports.

With support from the Planet Wild community, this mission will fund 10 BioT devices, one year of ranger patrols, and two years of data collection and analysis. Together, these efforts aim to protect 300 hectares of Europe’s last ancient forests.

Protecting these forests means safeguarding far more than trees. It means preserving centuries of natural history, providing a home for wildlife and ensuring that these extraordinary ecosystems remain alive for generations to come.

Sometimes, the best way to protect a forest is to listen carefully to what is happening within it, and to act before its ancient trees fall silent.