Co-author Irina Rotenko
Recently, we captured an interesting moment when a large wild boar tried to attack an adult wolf just after it had crossed a river via a beaver dam.
Continue reading “Footage of a wild boar attempting to attack an adult wolf”Tag: interference
Again, higher survival of wolf pups in the conditions of lower numbers of lynxes and brown bears in summer 2025
Co-authors: Louise Giovannelli and Irina Rotenko
From mid-August to the end of October, we closely monitored the wolf families that had been registered as denning in Naliboki Forest (central-western Belarus) in late spring of this year. In addition to our spring findings, we discovered in early autumn that one breeding group had previously gone unnoticed. This group exhibited double-breeding behavior.
Continue reading “Again, higher survival of wolf pups in the conditions of lower numbers of lynxes and brown bears in summer 2025”Outstandingly frequent marking by wolves in summer and early autumn: what does it mean?
Co-authors: Louise Giovannelli and Irina Rotenko
Usually, from May until the end of September, wolves engage in territorial marking only sparingly. Breeding individuals, in particular, tend to avoid excessive marking. Non-breeders continue territorial marking at levels similar to those in the cold season, or even noticeably less.
Continue reading “Outstandingly frequent marking by wolves in summer and early autumn: what does it mean?”One Important Factor Overlooked in the European Mink’s Demise
As a former researcher of wild European mink populations, I should have published these findings two decades ago. But better late than never. Back then, my attention was consumed by large carnivores and their conservation challenges, and I regret having neglected other essential topics. That oversight still weighs on me.
Continue reading “One Important Factor Overlooked in the European Mink’s Demise”Another brown bear attack on wolf pups discovered
Co-author Irina Rotenko
In late April of this year, we discovered a wolf den where the pups had been extirpated by a brown bear. Just yesterday, a new incident was recorded – another brown bear attacked wolf pups.
Continue reading “Another brown bear attack on wolf pups discovered”The Reproductive Struggle of Brown Bears in Naliboki Forest: An Investigative Hypothesis
Co-author Irina Rotenko
Historical Context and Current State of Brown Bears
During the Great Lithuanian period, from the 16th to the 18th centuries, brown bears were abundant in the Naliboki Forest and surrounding forest massifs. Reports of hunting these animals frequently appear in the game husbandry documents of the Radziwills and other magnates. Up until the First World War, the brown bear remained a standard game species and a relatively common trophy in the hunting collections of the local elite, indicating a high-density population in the Naliboki Forest.
Continue reading “The Reproductive Struggle of Brown Bears in Naliboki Forest: An Investigative Hypothesis”Heavy aggressive interference between wolves and brown bears in Naliboki Forest, Belarus
Coauthor Irina Rotenko
The Naliboki Forest, located in the central-western part of Belarus, is home to a dense population of wolves. Recently, brown bears have begun to populate this forested region, prompting an important question: how do these two large predators interact? Specifically, the aggressive interactions between wolves and brown bears, and the influence of their individual traits on these encounters, warrant further investigation.
Continue reading “Heavy aggressive interference between wolves and brown bears in Naliboki Forest, Belarus”Observational insights: lynxes and wolves utilizing road pipes in Naliboki Forest
Co-authors: Alieksandr Mysiev, Irina Rotenko and Dmitry Mysiev
In the winter of 2023-2024, we’ve captured two enlightening series of footage featuring large road pipes, remnants of Soviet-era construction, now seamlessly integrated into the forest’s landscape. These structures, though abandoned by humans, have found new purpose as integral parts of the local ecosystem, frequently visited by various animal species.
Continue reading “Observational insights: lynxes and wolves utilizing road pipes in Naliboki Forest”Afeared wolf is investigating a lynx marking spot
Co-author Irina Rotenko
In this blog we have presented our own materials on the interference between wolves and lynxes in Naliboki Forest, the north-western Belarus in several quite large posts before.
Continue reading “Afeared wolf is investigating a lynx marking spot”Raccoon dogs attacked an adult badger at its outlier
Co-author Irina Rotenko
An aggressive encounter between raccoon dog and badger was documented by a camera-trap at the badger outlier in early June in Naliboki Forest, the central-western part of Belarus.
Continue reading “Raccoon dogs attacked an adult badger at its outlier”
Zoology by Vadim Sidorovich 