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The annual winter census of the European bison population has begun in Belavezhskaya Pushcha National Park. The monitoring is being carried out from Jan. 20 to Feb. 9, 2026.
According to the park’s press service, the census involves research scientists specializing in mammalogy as well as the ranger service. The main task is to determine the exact number of animals, their sex and age structure, and to assess the overall physiological condition of the bison, including individuals that have left the reserve’s territory. Particular attention is being paid to identifying weakened and elderly animals.
The census is conducted using traditional methods: visual observations at feeding sites, counting tracks in the snow and photographic documentation.
According to the results of last year’s monitoring, 726 bison were recorded in Belavezhskaya Pushcha. Of these, 132 were adult males older than 3.5 years, 378 were adult females, 127 were young animals aged between 1.5 and 3.5 years, and 89 were calves.