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Polish border fence threatens nature of Belovezhskaya Pushcha

An archive photo

MINSK, 14 January (BelTA) – The Polish fence on the border with Belarus is damaging the wildlife of the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, Baltnews writes citing German media.

In July 2022, Poland completed construction of a 186-kilometer fence along the border with Belarus. Polish authorities justified the project as necessary to combat illegal migration. The metal structure, 5.5 meters high, topped with barbed wire and equipped with surveillance cameras, runs directly through Belovezhskaya Pushcha.

Katarzyna Nowak of the Institute of Mammal Research at the Polish Academy of Sciences stated: “The forest existed here before humans. Parts of the forest remained untouched for centuries – until now. This is a very serious interference.”

According to a study published in March 2025, the fence and barbed wire injure animals. In addition, they prevent species such as deer, elk, and wolves from moving between the two countries.

Eurasian lynxes, which live on the Polish side and are deprived of the opportunity to hunt, feed, and reproduce in the more spacious Belarusian territory, are now under threat of extinction.

Moreover, scientists point to a decline in the number of animals near the border.

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