Last weekend in the Prioksko-Terrasny Reserve, all the inhabitants who could leave hoof and paw prints in the snow were counted as carefully as possible. The scientists were especially pleased with the number of mountain hares, which for quite a long time was very low. Despite the difficult wintering conditions, deer are active, and there are also many elk in the forest.
Winter route track census is carried out to determine the number of inhabitants of the reserve: elk, deer, roe deer, wild boars, hares, martens, lynxes and other animal species. Recognizing tracks is not an easy task, so all participants in the work – the science department employees, environmental inspectors, experienced volunteers, specialists from the department of environmental education and educational tourism – had undergone serious preliminary training and some practical training
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The census takers had to work in difficult conditions – in deep snow and above-zero daytime temperatures. From time to time, the emerging sun would cause the ski run to ice and snow stick to the skis. On the first day, each group of trackers wiped the old tracks. The next day, on the same route – more than ten kilometers long – fresh tracks had to be counted and described.
The exact number of animals of various species living in the Prioksko-Terrasny Reserve will be calculated after processing all the route lists. But already now one can note an increase in the number of hare tracks, the activity of elk and deer. The results of track census will be included in the forthcoming issue of the collection "Chronicles of Nature".