While large animals and birds are fleeing the combat zone en masse, their populations are growing significantly in other parts of Ukraine. This is due in no small part to the hunting ban. A new generation of animals is growing up that is unafraid of humans because they have never encountered hunters. However, other threats loom for them—from highways to agrochemicals.
Igor Dykyi, a zoologist, Antarctic expedition participant, and project manager for “Rare Species” at WWF-Ukraine, spoke about this in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
Migration from the front lines and the return
According to the scientist, large animals fled the front lines practically in the first year of the full-scale war. This also applies to large birds, such as eagles and storks.
Only small animals that can hide in burrows can survive in those conditions; foxes are still occasionally spotted.
After the fighting ends, the animals try to return to their usual habitats. The zoologist says he has seen this in the Kharkiv region. However, the areas remain too dangerous due to landmines and tripwires.
Hunting ban
Thanks to the comprehensive hunting ban, the populations of many animal species in Ukraine have increased. This even applies to Red List species, such as the moose.
"Previously, scientists wrote various programs and developed strategies to increase the numbers of roe deer, deer, and other ungulates, but in reality, simply prohibiting hunting was enough. Nature was given peace and a little time, and it recovered," said Ihor Dykyi.
At the same time, the number of predators is also growing. Their populations are no longer regulated by culling, and there is enough food for them not to enter populated areas.
Life-threatening risks that have not gone away
Reports of wild animals entering cities are becoming increasingly frequent. The zoologist highlights two reasons for this phenomenon.
On the one hand, humans are taking territories from other creatures by developing populated areas. Some adaptable species are already being forced to adjust to new conditions. For example, foxes, badgers, and martens are adapting to living near humans.
The other factor is the disappearance of fear toward humans. A generation of foxes is growing up that was born during the full-scale war, meaning without hunting. Humans are not an existential threat to them, as they have not experienced being pursued by hunters.
Nevertheless, people should not exploit this so as not to harm the independence of these animals.
"People also need to know how to behave. Do not feed wild animals, because they get used to this and will find it harder to obtain food on their own. In addition, they can carry infections. Therefore, there should be a distance between humans and animals," the scientist emphasized.
Threats to life that remain
Many animals in Ukraine die under the wheels of vehicles. Ukrainian highways are simply not adapted for animals – they lack fences and wildlife crossings.
"Just this year, three moose have already died on the roads in the Lviv region; last year, unfortunately, there were seven. Open roads are dangerous for both animals and motorists. Last year, one person died as a result of a collision between a car and a moose," said the zoologist.
Оne particular threat is agricultural chemicals, which farmers actively use to treat their fields. Recently, there was widespread publicity online regarding the poisoning of roe deer by such chemicals, after which zoo volunteers worked to save them.
According to Ihor Dykyi, this threat has always existed and still does, not only in Ukraine but also in Europe. He recalled an incident of mass crane deaths at the Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve. The cause was the treatment of fields near the protected area, which was carried out by a local agroholding.
EcoPolitic previously reported that the Ministry of Education approved a school program aimed at teaching children humane attitudes towards animals.
Work is also underway in Ukraine on a draft law designed to strengthen the protection of pets.
