Bialowieza

Białowieski Park Narodowy

Area: 10.502 ha Protected: 1932 Established: 1947

Statute: World Biosphere Reserve ( en - fr - es ) - 1976 World Heritage of Humanity ( en - fr ) - 1979, 1992 The European Diploma of protected areas ( en - fr )

Białowieża National Park

One of the oldest national parks in Europe (established in 1932), it covers the central part of Bialowieza Forest which is worldwide known for its natural forest and the restitutional breeding of the European bison. The largest free roaming bison herd, located here in the park, currently comprises about 260 animals. The park envelops a compact area of mixed forests with unusual abundance of different tree populations preserved in their natural state. Many species of trees grow up to reach sizes seldom met elsewhere in Europe. The park's wildlife is particularly rich: the Bialowieza Forest constitutes the nesting grounds for 120 species of birds and, in addition to bison, other big mammals such as elk, red deer, wolf, lynx, and beaver are frequently met here. In the exhibition reserve, visitors can admire not only bison's but also elks, wild boars, red deer, and tarpans (a Polish breed of miniature horses).