Census of forest dwellers begins in Vitebsk region
Hunters and gamekeepers are preparing for the winter animal census in the Vitebsk region, as reported to BELTA correspondent by Vasily Kirpichenok, Deputy Head of the State Control Department for the Protection and Use of Land, Forests, Fauna and Flora, Specially Protected Territories, and Waste Management of the Vitebsk Regional Committee for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.
Winter route and questionnaire surveys of hunting animal populations will be conducted in two stages. The first count is scheduled for January 30-31 in 15 hunting grounds managed by the Vitebsk State Production Forestry Association. During February 1-2, in the second stage, the remaining 46 hunting grounds of the region will conduct the census. Weather conditions may affect the timing of the forest census: in case of severe frosts, it may have to be postponed, explained Vasily Kirpichenok.
In accordance with the established procedure, the winter census will be conducted from observation towers near feeding grounds. This method is most often used when counting wild boars. Rare forest dwellers, such as bears or badgers, are counted based on questionnaires filled out by wildlife biologists and experienced hunters. Another method of animal census is the route method, which is based on studying their tracks. It involves the surveyor walking through their assigned area and marking all observed wild animal tracks on a map. These marks are then transferred to a general scheme, which allows for determining not only the population size and density but also the animals' movement routes.
According to the committee's data, the 2012 census work showed a stable increase in the populations of the main hunting animal species: from 0.6% for roe deer to 18.6% for red deer. Censuses of the main animals listed in the Red Book showed an increase in the bear population by 12%, and a slight decrease in lynx and badger populations.