MINSK, 26 February (BelTA) - We need to view Belovezhskaya Pushcha as a single, unified reserve, not divided into Polish and Belarusian territories. Wild animals do not recognize borders, Pavel Geshtovt, Deputy General Director for Scientific and Innovative Work of the Applied Science Center for Bioresources at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, said at a press cobference, BelTA has learned.
“When it comes to the bear population on the territory of Belarus, it is growing here. Several years ago, bears began appearing on Polish territory, which was a significant event for Polish ecologists. But when the fence was built, bears stopped appearing there. On our territory, there will be no problems with this population. However, on Polish territory, biodiversity has already suffered.”
According to him, the same can be said about the lynx. In Belarus, the lynx population is growing and evenly covering the country's territory. “On Polish territory, according to the latest data, only four female lynxes remain. And this is causing great concern among ecologists, specifically on the Polish side. Neither the lynx, nor the bear, nor any other large animal can overcome the fence. For large predators, this is a very dangerous situation. They do not have high population densities, so subpopulations need to have contact with each other,” the scientist added.
“When it comes to the bear population on the territory of Belarus, it is growing here. Several years ago, bears began appearing on Polish territory, which was a significant event for Polish ecologists. But when the fence was built, bears stopped appearing there. On our territory, there will be no problems with this population. However, on Polish territory, biodiversity has already suffered.”
According to him, the same can be said about the lynx. In Belarus, the lynx population is growing and evenly covering the country's territory. “On Polish territory, according to the latest data, only four female lynxes remain. And this is causing great concern among ecologists, specifically on the Polish side. Neither the lynx, nor the bear, nor any other large animal can overcome the fence. For large predators, this is a very dangerous situation. They do not have high population densities, so subpopulations need to have contact with each other,” the scientist added.
Tatyana Zheleznova, head of the Department of Biological and Landscape Diversity at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, noted that Belarus has repeatedly raised the issue of the barrier at international venues.
“Our scientists have conducted research and provided an assessment of the direct negative impact of the fence. First and foremost, it disrupts animal migration routes. The European bison, for example, inhabits both the territory of Belarus and Poland. The exchange of genes helps preserve a strong, healthy population as a whole. The global common task is to preserve the species, regardless of which territory it inhabits. This is a challenge faced by every country,” she noted. “The fence has also harmed the forest ecosystems of Belovezhskaya Pushcha - ancient relict forests. Our shared task is to preserve them as they are, rather than directing efforts toward their destruction."
Tatyana Zheleznova emphasized that Belarus will continue drawing the attention of the wider public to this issue and to its resolution.
Tatyana Zheleznova emphasized that Belarus will continue drawing the attention of the wider public to this issue and to its resolution.
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