See European bison in Belarus

‘A blue-eyed country’ with its age-old oak forests and pinery is an ideal place for ecological tourism. Going to admire the picturesque landscapes, do not forget to get acquainted with its forest symbol.

Take a ‘wild’ selfie

The Polesie State Radioecological Reserve in the south of Belarus is extraordinary place. After the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident, a vast territory was at the mercy of nature. No people, no houses, no roads. The rarest species of plants, Red Book birds and animals found themselves in complete isolation. Seventeen individuals of European bison were brought here from Belovezhskaya Pushcha in the early nineties. Just on trial: what if they like it here? Imagine, now there are almost 200 of them! Local European bison is not wild: in winter they come to feed in herds. If one wish, one can stroke them or even take a selfie.

Photo by Aleksey Stolyarov

For several years now, it has been possible to get into the protected area as part of organised groups: strict control over radiation and unforgettable impressions are guaranteed.

Go on a night out

Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve has gathered the top five European mammals on its territory: European bison, bear, elk, wolf and lynx. They live not only amicably, but according to the rules of nature — the battle is to the strong.


All animals can be seen at once in the forest zoo on the territory of the reserve. There are also truly ‘wild’ tours — night outings in the field to see a bear or morning European bison. However, the Museum of Nature has been operating in the reserve for more than half a century, where about 300 species of animals are represented. The kids will definitely love it.
These places are famous for their traditions and legends. Most of them are associated with forests and swamps. The Tsmok’s Way festival of Slavic mythology takes place in the reserve every year in August.

Hear a song from the depths of time

Belovezhskaya Pushcha is considered to be the birthplace of the Europeam bison. The curly-haired bull has always lived in the ancient relic forest. It is known that Prince Vitovt hunted they in the 14th century and Nicholas II of Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. When European bison was on the verge of extinction all over Europe and the Caucasus, it was Belovezhskaya Pushcha that became the place where freedom-loving animals managed to be preserved and multiplied. Belarusians know everything about this species: back in the first half of the 16th century, the court poet Nicolas Hussovianus wrote the world-famous The Song about Bison in Latin, thereby glorifying both himself and the beast.

PHOTO BY BELTA

Today, a little more than 700 individuals of European bison live in the national park (the world population is only about 8,500 individuals). The first horned beauties meet Pushcha guests almost right at the entrance — they live in enclosures. At the same time, the bulk is hiding in the depths of the protected area: seeing them for an ordinary tourist is a great success.

Get on the trail in Naliboki

The largest forest in Europe is located just 60 kilometres from Minsk — Nalibokskaya Pushcha. The local European bison is not wild and often go out in herds to the highway. One can track their movements in winter by following the tracks in the fields. Pushcha forests, fields and meadows were chosen not only by herds of European bison, but also by other amazing animals — tarpan horses. Gray ungulates were once inhabitants of European forests, but have disappeared. Modern horses are distant relatives of tarpans. They frolic in the wild and never refuse a juicy treat — apples.

Photo by BELTA

After walking along eco-trails, tourists also have a ravenous hunger. In the vicinity of Nalibokskaya Pushcha, there is a whole scattering of farmsteads: here you can try game, potato babka or pancakes with homemade cottage cheese.

Taste royal delicacies

European Bison is typically confused with American bison, and some even call them forest cows. On the contrary, our beauties with a thick forelock are ready to prove that they are the strongest, dexterous and smartest. If necessary, they can jump up to two metres in height, rush across the field at incredible speed or protect their cubs with horns and hooves. These peculiarities have always made them desirable prey for hunters.

PHOTO BY BELTA


Our days are no exception: despite the Red Book status, it is possible to hunt for the royal trophy with a gun in Belarus. But only for individuals from the reserve gene pool (injured or old animals that are not involved in reproduction and are not of value to the species). If you don’t want to run through the forest, but you really want to try European bison, look for the unique sausage in the stores of the Grodno Meat Processing Plant. On sale there is a cervelat sausage at 23 rubles for 270 grams, sausage at 80 rubles per kilo and pastrami, 26.5 rubles for 212 grams.

By Sofia Arsenyeva