Mammal fauna of the National Park “Pripyatsky” (Belarus)

Abstract

During 2011–2012 a special survey of all mammal groups of the National Park “Pripyatsky” (Southern Belarus) was conducted. According to surveys, the territory of the National Park and its environs are inhabited by 58 mammal species. The abundance of all species was estimated. During the investigation, seven new bat species were found: Pipistrellus nathusii, Myotis brandtii, Myotis dasycneme, Barbastella barbastellus, Nyctalus leisleri, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Eptesicus nilssoni. Two species from the previous list became extinct: Ursus arctos and Mustela lutreola, and other two species became probably extinct: Procyon lotor and Dryomys nitedula. Thus, the full list of mammals of the National Park includes 62 species. Ten species that inhabit the National Park are in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus (2004): Muscardinus avellanarius, Glis glis, Myotis brandtii, Myotis dasycneme, Nyctalus leisleri, Eptesicus nilssonii, Barbastella barbastellus, Meles meles, Lynx lynx and Bison bonasus. All of them are forest dwelling species and 70 % (bats mostly) are inhabitants of hollows and cavities of old trees. Considering high species richness of bats (13 species and also potentially expected 5 species), the area of the National Park “Pripyatsky” is an important reserve for the conservation of this unique and vulnerable group of animals.

Keywords

• mammal fauna
• abundance
• National Park “Pripyatsky”
• Belarus