The fauna of Belovezhskaya Pushcha is unique: rare species, many of which are no longer found outside the area, live in the conditions of the primeval forest. Some were nearly exterminated during World Wars I and II, but today scientists are working to restore populations. And everyone can see the animals of Belovezhskaya Pushcha by visiting the biosphere reserve and excursion aviaries.
Uniqueness and uniqueness of Belovezhskaya Pushcha
Belovezhskaya Pushcha is a unique natural object, the largest relic forest area in Europe with the richest resources of flora and fauna. Here almost in a pristine form has been preserved an integral ecosystem that existed on the territory of the Great European Plain more than 12 thousand years ago.
In 1992, the forest area was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Where is it
The forest belongs to the Sarmatian mixed forest, an ecological region of northern Europe. It is located near the sources of the Nareva and Lesnaya rivers – the right tributaries of the Western Bug.
Most of the relict forest massif is located in Belarus, within the Brest (Kamenets and Pruzhany districts) and Grodno (Svisloch district) regions. Within its boundaries, a biosphere reserve of 216.2 thousand hectares and a national park of 150.07 thousand hectares were designated.
The forest massif covers the eastern part of Poland: about 10.5 thousand hectares of the territory of Podlaskie Voivodeship is occupied by the Bialowieza National Park.
Landscape
The main landscape of the forest is a hilly plain, 83% of which is occupied by continuous forest cover. Coniferous trees predominate, but broad-leaved plantations are not uncommon.
The hydrographic network of the area is represented by 2 large rivers (Narev and Pravaya Lesnaya) and many small rivers. The forest is also mottled with streams. Approximately 30% of its territory is occupied by marshes. The largest of them is recognized as Dikoye, located on the watershed of the Baltic and Black Seas.
Flora and plants from the Red Book
The diversity and fertility of soils created favorable conditions for the formation of a diverse fauna in the region. Today there are more than 1 thousand species of higher plants. Among the most common are representatives of the families of aster, bluegrass, and rosaceous. 61 endangered species of higher plants, mosses, lichens and fungi have been registered in the forest. They are included in the Red Book of Belarus.
What animals live in Belovezhskaya Pushcha
Large predators and herbivores, amphibians, reptiles and insects can be found on the territory of the forest. Over 11,000 species of various animal groups have been recorded.
Bison
Among the mammals of Belovezhskaya Pushcha the largest is the bison – the last surviving representative of wild bulls in Europe. Today, the only subspecies of this animal, the plains (European) animal, is found in the national park.
Male bison are large: their body length ranges from 2.5 to 3.1 m and their withers height is from 1.7 to 1.9 m. The average weight of adults varies from 600 to 850 kg. A hump is clearly visible on their back, and their head is crowned by a pair of massive sickle-shaped horns. Compared to them, the females are smaller.
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In general, they are hardy, strong animals capable of repelling an attack from any predator. They live in coniferous and broad-leaved forests, grazing mainly in clearings or river floodplains. They feed on vegetation.
Bison are recognized as a keystone species of the ecosystem because. in the process of life activity contributes to the formation of species diversity of meadows. By eating small vegetation in the undergrowth, it thins the understorey: this creates conditions for the growth of large trees.
A noble deer
The most graceful inhabitant of the reserve is the noble, or real, deer – a large pair-hoofed mammal of the deer family. Scientists distinguish many subspecies of the animal depending on the region of habitat. In the National Park “Belovezhskaya Pushcha” there are only European deer, which inhabit almost the entire forest territory.
Males are large: their body length reaches 2.1 m, height at the withers – from 1.3 to 1.5 m. The average weight of an individual is 235 kg. Females are slightly smaller. The animals are hardy, tolerating heat and frost well. Prefer pine, deciduous and mixed forests with thickets of young shrubs and trees, dense grass, glades. They like wetter areas near bodies of water.
The red deer perform important ecosystem functions. In the winter season it feeds on the bark of young shrubs, in summer – on grass and branches in the undergrowth, contributing to the formation of a mosaic structure of vegetation and prolonging the life of large relict trees. Its droppings are eaten by coprophilous insects, and its carcasses are eaten by fungi, some invertebrate animals, mammals, and carrion birds.
Moose
The second largest animal inhabiting the forest is the European elk, or mule deer. It is a pair-hoofed mammal within the reindeer family. Elk are important to the ecosystem because. Maintains the balance of the region’s plant communities.
It is very large: the average height at the withers is 2.3 m and the weight varies from 350 to 600 kg. Females are smaller. The animal has significant differences compared to other reindeer species (e.g., it has a shorter body and neck, a more pronounced hump). Its long legs allow it to move across hilly plains with ease. The peculiarities of the elk are very large horns and strong hooves, with the help of which it defends itself against strong predators. Moose feed on herbaceous and shrubby vegetation, mosses, lichens, and mushrooms.
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common badger
One of the largest predators in the region is the badger, a species of mammal in the marten family. Today, these animals are considered less important (compared to predators, large ungulate herbivores), but they too perform useful functions in the ecosystem. For example, actively loosen the soil when searching for food, contributing to its recovery, regulate the number of small rodents, insects.
Badgers are large stocky animals with a flat wedge-shaped body and a short, fluffy tail. They reach 60-90 cm in length, with females being slightly smaller. They lead a semi-underground lifestyle: they live in deep, self-excavated burrows, but feed on the surface. Often prefer to settle in dry areas near water bodies where there is a rich food base.
Peat jaundice
Among the insects of the region, the rarest species is the peat jaundice, a small day butterfly of the jaundice family. It is one of the most vulnerable insect species as. Its numbers are adversely affected by human activities.
The peatland yellowjacket is very small: its wingspan is 40 to 50 mm. Males possess bright yellow and females possess white coloration. Caterpillars are found only on upper bogs, in pine forests of the sphagnum and lodgepole pine types. Adults only occasionally fly outside their usual range. Butterflies are sedentary, preferring to sit in the grass most of the time.
Wild boar
The forest is home to a large population of wild boar, a large pair-hoofed mammal of the pig family. Although this animal damages farmland, it is considered an ecosystem engineer. The boar continuously digs the ground in search of food, contributing to the improvement of soil structure and characteristics, and the development of herbaceous plants.
The boar is a large animal: its height at the withers is on average 1.2 m and its weight is 250 kg. At the same time, females are much smaller. The body of the boar is stocky, more massive in front, with well-developed musculature. It prefers to settle in lowland damp forest areas, but is also found at higher elevations with dense vegetation. It feeds mainly on rhizomes and some above-ground parts of plants, but may also eat larvae, insects, small invertebrates and vertebrates.
Other fauna
The region is home to many other animals, common and rare. Many are listed in the International Red List, and scientists are trying to restore and maintain their populations.
There are 59 species of mammals, which is 85% of the Belarusian theriofauna. There are also amphibians, reptiles. Twenty-seven species of fish have been recorded in the Pushcha rivers.
Excursion enclosures with wild animals
The territory of the Belarusian National Park “Belovezhskaya Pushcha” hosts a demonstration zone with enclosures of wild animals living in the region. Visitors are shown not only majestic bison or graceful elk, but also rarer (imported) species. For example, the park is home to raccoon dogs, fallow deer, and spotted deer.
Mode of operation and cost of attendance
The excursion enclosures are located near the Museum of Nature and occupy an area of 20 hectares. You can take a guided tour any day of the week from 09:00 to 18:00.
The ticket price for an adult is 10 Bel. rubles, for a child (up to 14 years old) – 7 Bel. rubles.
Nature Museum
On the territory of Belovezhskaya Pushcha there is the Museum of Nature, whose mission is to disseminate knowledge about ecology and nature protection.
The area of over 780 square meters houses the largest exposition in the country, dedicated to the past of the region, the life of local plants and animals. Ecoconferences and other events are often organized in the building.
The Nature Museum has exhibition halls dedicated to different themes:
- of the history of the national park (mostly photos are posted here);
- ornithology (birds of the reserve);
- to the inhabitants of the local waterways;
- amphibians, reptiles;
- forest pests;
- the diversity of soils;
- research and survey work.
The institution is popular among the residents of Belarus and foreign tourists. It is visited by more than 150 thousand people every year (according to statistics collected by the museum).
