A ring road is being constructed around the Belovezhskaya Pushcha, following Belarusian scientists’ strict recommendations regarding the migration routes of animals; they have guided builders as to where underground passes should be situated.
The General Director of the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, Nikolay Bambiza, explains that 32 such passes are to be built along the road for amphibians and reptiles. The site has experience in this field already, and plans another four tunnels to be laid especially for large animals — such as wild boar, roe, deer and aurochs.
Following their instinct, animals migrate through the Pushcha using the same routes at certain times of the year, following paths which may have existed hundreds of years ago and have now changed use. In fact, a village was built on the route of some Pushcha frogs but this did not stop them from pursuing their path. To avoid death under the wheels of passing cars, an underground road was constructed below the central street.
Trees and bushes are being planted by the road to ensure comfort for migrating animals, which can eat their fruit and leaves. Moreover, the tunnels will be covered with sound-absorbent materials, so that the noise of passing cars won’t frighten the animals.
