MINSK, 1 June (BelTA) - Five Belarusian bison will move to a new residence in the Russian National Park Smolenskoye Poozerye, Belarus' Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Andrei Kovkhuto told the media, BelTA has learned.
“Belarus is ready to share bison in an effort to restore the bison population which currently stands at more than 1,500 (25% of the world's population),” said Andrei Kovkhuto. There is an agreement on five bison to expand the population of the Russian National Park Smolenskoye Poozerye.
With the implementation of the bison preservation and expansion program in Belarus in 1994-1998 the number of these animals has been on a constant increase. Their number went up more than four times over the past 22 years to total 1,574 individuals as of 1 February 2017.
“The goal of the concept on the preservation and sustainable use of bison in Belarus to secure the further growth in the number of bison as a guarantee for their long-term presence (1,500 individuals) has been fulfilled. At the same time there are problems related to the influence of bison on natural ecosystems and agricultural landscapes, the state of certain micro populations,” the ministry earlier reported.
