The number of roe deer, wild boars and deer on the Curonian Spit has increased

The press service of the Curonian Spit National Park reported on the results of accounting for the number of wild animals living on its territory. Experts noted an increase in the number of roe deer, wild boars and deer, as well as a decrease in the number of moose and foxes.

The accounting was carried out by the method of noise run of eight test sites. The places of the highest concentration of wild animals were selected based on the results of visual observations. When processing accounting materials, much attention was paid to the data obtained as a result of constant observations of wild animals.

Scientists have confirmed the most probable number of wild inhabitants of the Curonian Spit: 9 moose, 102 roe deer, 57 wild boars, 55 spotted deer, 40 foxes, 19 hares. The national park is also home to approximately 27 beavers, 7 otters, 27 martens, 47 squirrels, 19 raccoon dogs, 10 ermines, 15 minks, 9 badgers, 16 ferrets and 27 muskrats.

"Changes in the number of animals on the Curonian Spit in recent years have been insignificant. The number of roe deer, wild boars and deer has increased over the year," the report says.

Experts noted a slight decrease in the number of foxes, which varies from year to year. In nature, cycles of fluctuations in the number of mouse-like rodents are possible, according to which the number of foxes also changes.

"The decrease in the number of moose is caused, among other things, by death as a result of a collision with a vehicle. The anthropogenic load is increasing, so we ask drivers to be careful and observe the speed limit," the press service said.

The staff of the national park reminded that visitors are forbidden to feed animals in the park. At the same time, specialists regularly feed the inhabitants of the Curonian Spit. For example, for moose, deer and roe deer, fodder canopies are being built and brooms from hardwood trees are being harvested.