European Rewilding Network
ERN1602

Rewilding of Naliboksky Forest

Bison in Naliboksky Forest

In the native habitat of Naliboksky Forest, all representatives of megafauna living in conditions of natural freedom of lowland Eastern Europe are restored. With this, it even surpasses Bialowieza Forest. The forest is considered as the potential territory for the rewilding of cattle and horses.

Naliboksky Forests are the largest forest in Belarus, occupying an area of ​​86,892 hectares. This is a uniquely historical and cultural region of Belarus, where Slavic, Baltic and European traditions are intertwined. It carries great flora and fauna – here you will have a chance to meet some of the inhabitants like deer or European bisons. This region also carries lots of myths, that are part of historical and cultural heritage of Belarus.

Specification Description Achievements Exchange
Project: Rewilding of Naliboksky Forest
Region: Belarus, Minsk region, Vologin, Iv’e districts, 70 kilometers to the west from Minsk
Type of protection: wildlife area
Habitat types: mixed forest, meadows, mire, small rivers
Keystone species: European bison, red deer, elk, wolf
Fauna (mega) species present: roe deer, wild boar, lynx, brown bear
Type of project: Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision: Restoration of forest ecosystems characteristic for Eastern Europe before their transformation by people and with the maximum presence of key megafauna species.
Development of ecological tourism.
By 2026, the Naliboksky Forest area, with its mosaic of open landscapes, pine and mixed forests, meadows, mire and small rivers, has become one of the most exciting wild areas in Eastern Europe.
Uniqueness of the project: Absolutely wild population of European bison (exists without human support) developing in close interaction with other herbivores as well as predators, mainly numerous population of wolf.
Other activities: Eco tourism, Education
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on: Brought back horses and cattle
Results so far: Steadily developing populations of herbivores (European bison, red deer, elk, roe deer) and large predators (wolf, lynx)
Eco tourism
Inspirational value: The presence of a multitude of megafauna species, both herbivores as well as predators.
Experience you would like to share: Experiences on the re-introduction of European bison, experiences on management of populations of red deer and wolf
Experience you would like to gain: Experiences on the rewilding of horses and cattle
Map
Country
Belarus
Start year
1994 (Re-introductions of European bison)
Size (ha)
88000
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic
Natural process
Natural grazing
Flagship species
Bison
Bison in Naliboksky Forest

In the native habitat of Naliboksky Forest, all representatives of megafauna living in conditions of natural freedom of lowland Eastern Europe are restored. With this, it even surpasses Bialowieza Forest. The forest is considered as the potential territory for the rewilding of cattle and horses.

Naliboksky Forests are the largest forest in Belarus, occupying an area of ​​86,892 hectares. This is a uniquely historical and cultural region of Belarus, where Slavic, Baltic and European traditions are intertwined. It carries great flora and fauna – here you will have a chance to meet some of the inhabitants like deer or European bisons. This region also carries lots of myths, that are part of historical and cultural heritage of Belarus.

Map
Country
Belarus
Start year
1994 (Re-introductions of European bison)
Size (ha)
88000
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic
Natural process
Natural grazing
Flagship species
Bison
Specification
Project: Rewilding of Naliboksky Forest
Region: Belarus, Minsk region, Vologin, Iv’e districts, 70 kilometers to the west from Minsk
Type of protection: wildlife area
Habitat types: mixed forest, meadows, mire, small rivers
Keystone species: European bison, red deer, elk, wolf
Fauna (mega) species present: roe deer, wild boar, lynx, brown bear
Description
Type of project: Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision: Restoration of forest ecosystems characteristic for Eastern Europe before their transformation by people and with the maximum presence of key megafauna species.
Development of ecological tourism.
By 2026, the Naliboksky Forest area, with its mosaic of open landscapes, pine and mixed forests, meadows, mire and small rivers, has become one of the most exciting wild areas in Eastern Europe.
Uniqueness of the project: Absolutely wild population of European bison (exists without human support) developing in close interaction with other herbivores as well as predators, mainly numerous population of wolf.
Other activities: Eco tourism, Education
Achievements
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on: Brought back horses and cattle
Results so far: Steadily developing populations of herbivores (European bison, red deer, elk, roe deer) and large predators (wolf, lynx)
Eco tourism
Exchange
Inspirational value: The presence of a multitude of megafauna species, both herbivores as well as predators.
Experience you would like to share: Experiences on the re-introduction of European bison, experiences on management of populations of red deer and wolf
Experience you would like to gain: Experiences on the rewilding of horses and cattle
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