GRODNO, 20 February (BelTA) - Employees of the Ozery agricultural enterprise continue to daily feed the bison inhabiting the territory of the national landscape reserve in Grodno District, gamekeeper Aleksei Vrublevsky told BelTA.
According to Aleksei Vrublevsky, the bison (of which there are about 500 in the reserve) are weathering the low temperatures calmly. Human care helps. “When there is food, the animals’ heat exchange functions. If they are full, they are warm. And it doesn’t matter to them how hard the frost is,” said the gamekeeper.
Employees lay out feed at 20 special sites. This process begins long before the cold weather sets in. For example, in August, after the harvest, wild animals are offered seed cleanings. Year-round, salt licks are put out for them, needed to replenish micronutrients after bison calving, and for deer, for example, to support antler growth. With the arrival of cold weather, the menu is supplemented with other treats loved not only by bison but also by other wild inhabitants. Silage, beets, apples, and hay are laid out for the animals. Feed is gradually delivered to different sites. Incidentally, during the season, the animals consume 50 tonnes of hay, 50 tonnes of apple waste, 5 tonnes of salt, about 80 tonnes of seed cleanings, and nearly 500 tonnes of haylage. “An animal won’t be cold if it’s full,” Aleksei Vrublevsky said.
“The bison aren’t completely trusting, of course. They become wary. But, for instance, they already know the sound of the vehicle that brings the feed. And before the tractor has even driven away, they are already standing ready to come out and eat. If they sense danger somewhere, they move aside and run into the forest. But eventually, they come out anyway,” the gamekeeper said.
According to Aleksei Vrublevsky, specialists also adjust the amount of feed depending on the size of the herd that has taken a liking to a site. “Right now, for example, a large herd has arrived, about 200-250 heads, bunched together. And one tractor trailer, which holds 4-5 tonnes, is a bit little for this herd. So sometimes we take out even two trailers of feed to one site in a day to make sure they have enough,” he explained. “If the animal is full, it won’t freeze, which means less mortality among the young.”
Specialists say the bison will keep coming to the feeding sites until the snow melts. “They will continue to come to the sites for now. But as soon as the grass appears, when it gets warm, this need will disappear, and they will start feeding in the forest,” Aleksei Vrublevsky said. Incidentally, they also use a distraction tactic here, sowing special fields with winter crops to keep the animals from encroaching on the enterprise’s crops or heading toward the road.
According to Aleksei Vrublevsky, the bison (of which there are about 500 in the reserve) are weathering the low temperatures calmly. Human care helps. “When there is food, the animals’ heat exchange functions. If they are full, they are warm. And it doesn’t matter to them how hard the frost is,” said the gamekeeper.
Employees lay out feed at 20 special sites. This process begins long before the cold weather sets in. For example, in August, after the harvest, wild animals are offered seed cleanings. Year-round, salt licks are put out for them, needed to replenish micronutrients after bison calving, and for deer, for example, to support antler growth. With the arrival of cold weather, the menu is supplemented with other treats loved not only by bison but also by other wild inhabitants. Silage, beets, apples, and hay are laid out for the animals. Feed is gradually delivered to different sites. Incidentally, during the season, the animals consume 50 tonnes of hay, 50 tonnes of apple waste, 5 tonnes of salt, about 80 tonnes of seed cleanings, and nearly 500 tonnes of haylage. “An animal won’t be cold if it’s full,” Aleksei Vrublevsky said.
“The bison aren’t completely trusting, of course. They become wary. But, for instance, they already know the sound of the vehicle that brings the feed. And before the tractor has even driven away, they are already standing ready to come out and eat. If they sense danger somewhere, they move aside and run into the forest. But eventually, they come out anyway,” the gamekeeper said.
According to Aleksei Vrublevsky, specialists also adjust the amount of feed depending on the size of the herd that has taken a liking to a site. “Right now, for example, a large herd has arrived, about 200-250 heads, bunched together. And one tractor trailer, which holds 4-5 tonnes, is a bit little for this herd. So sometimes we take out even two trailers of feed to one site in a day to make sure they have enough,” he explained. “If the animal is full, it won’t freeze, which means less mortality among the young.”
Specialists say the bison will keep coming to the feeding sites until the snow melts. “They will continue to come to the sites for now. But as soon as the grass appears, when it gets warm, this need will disappear, and they will start feeding in the forest,” Aleksei Vrublevsky said. Incidentally, they also use a distraction tactic here, sowing special fields with winter crops to keep the animals from encroaching on the enterprise’s crops or heading toward the road.
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