Wildlife Conservationists Challenge Official Animal Population Counts in Poloniny National Park

Wildlife conservationists are questioning the accuracy of official animal population figures used to justify hunting policies in Slovakia's Poloniny National Park. A large carnivore specialist described the situation in the Poloniny region as absurd, criticizing what appears to be a preference for shooting animals rather than implementing preventive conservation measures. The dispute highlights broader tensions between traditional hunting practices and modern wildlife management approaches in Slovakia's protected areas. Poloniny National Park, located in northeastern Slovakia along the borders with Poland and Ukraine, is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its pristine forests and diverse wildlife including bears, wolves, and lynx.