Forest Rangers Learn To Protect Rare Wildlife in Transcarpathia

by Alexei Lugovoi

To protect Ukraine's rare wildlife, scientists need information about their habitat and breeding areas. A small group of zoologists, with little access to transportation into remote areas, cannot undertake the enormous task of collecting all the necessary information. But there is a whole army of people who are serving the needs of our wildlife-the workers who protect our forests.

In the Transcarpathian region of Ukraine, this "army" of forest workers consists of nearly 1,800 people. However, these workers lack proper ecological training (it is possible to become a forest ranger in Ukraine without special instruction). The foresters are more or less informed about which wildlife is hunted, but their knowledge of other wildlife issues is minimal. Without additional training, they are not often useful to zoologists in compiling wildlife surveys. Worse, often their poorly thought through actions have even caused the further reduction of already rare types of animals.

To acquaint forest rangers with methods of rare wildlife protection, we have organized a distinctive, practical training course under the name, "The Traveling Exhibition: Transcarpathia's Fauna and its Protection." Since January 1997, a group of colleagues from Uzhgorodski State University's Zoological Museum together with a local NGO, Ruteniya, has been taking regular outings to the region's 17 forest reserves. There we show color slides of those animals in need of protection, followed by discussion-oriented lectures. The project received support from both ISAR and the regional Bureau of Forest Management, which created a schedule for the training. The forest rangers have been very enthusiastic about the chance to receive more training.

In addition to teaching the foresters about wildlife, we will teach them how to conduct observations, keep records and preserve already dead specimens for scientists. At our suggestion, the regional Bureau of Forest Management agreed to print the necessary forms for these tasks. These "Cards for Observing Wildlife," along with the appropriate directions for their completion, are now being circulated among the rangers.

Using their information, we hope to create a data base of rare animals in Transcarpathia that will aid zoologists seeking to identify and map habitats. In the process of instructing the forest rangers, we have already received some important information about the habitat of the black stork. Eventually, we hope to publish an illustrated brochure on the rare animals of the region to promote nature conservation among a wider public.

Alexei Lugovoi is a member of Ruteniya and leader of the traveling exhibition project. Ruteniya, Bachinskogo Street, 25/2, Uzhgorod 294000, Ukraine; phone: (03122) 3-03-75, fax: (03122) 2-36-07.