The gloomy theory about the disappearance of the Australian climber in Albania

By Chantelle Francis, News Australia

Mystery surrounds the disappearance of the Australian climber Cameron Twiss in Albania; now, some speculate that a bear may have attacked him.

The 28-year-old was last seen around 8 am on October 13, walking on the Valbonë-Theth trail in northern Albania.

Authorities found his passport and clothes at a guesthouse in the nearby city of Shkodra after he was reported missing.

It is learned that Mr. Twiss started the 17km trail from Valbona with a group of people and then split up. He continued the scenic route to Theth.

The road is popular with tourists, with online travelers even describing it as "crowded".

Surprisingly, no trace of Mr. Twiss was not discovered and the search operation was suspended in early November.

On Saturday, a volunteer with the Albanian Search and Rescue Service said it was possible the missing Australian could be the victim of an extremely rare bear attack, according to The Advertiser, which has a reporter on the ground.

There are estimated to be around 200 brown bears in the area.

Tour guide Arben Kola told Australian journalist Emily Olle that rescue crews thought the case was "so strange".

"Even if he had gone the wrong way and fallen or been attacked by a bear, the rescue team would have seen a sign - a bag or some clothing," he said.

Rescuers initially focused their search efforts on a notorious 'selfie spot' where two tourists died in May last year after slipping on snow and falling off a cliff.

However, Mr. Kola told The Advertiser if there was a body, it would have been found.

"Even if they couldn't see it, the crows gather and, with the drones and police helicopters, they would have drawn attention to it," he said.

"It's almost impossible to get lost on that road if you don't want to get lost."

Since the authorities have not been able to find a body, it is feared that Mr. Twiss may have been killed.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed that it is providing consular assistance to the family of the Australian reported missing in Albania.