Illegal Antler Collection Cases Uncovered in Slovakia's Tatra Mountains

Authorities in Slovakia's Tatra Mountains are discovering cases of illegal collection of naturally shed deer antlers, using camera traps to help monitor and prevent the unauthorized gathering. The High Tatras National Park, Slovakia's oldest and most prestigious protected area established in 1949, faces ongoing challenges with visitors who illegally collect natural materials despite regulations protecting the mountain ecosystem. Camera traps have become an important tool for park rangers to detect and document violations of conservation laws, which prohibit the removal of natural materials including antlers that deer shed annually during winter months.