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AUTHOR: Prof. dr. sc. Duro Huber Be happy to meet animals, observe them and record if circumstances allow that, but do not catch them, feed them or disturb them in any way!
Although the Plitvice Lakes National Park contains extremely large number of animal species, the first impression that many visitors have is that out of all living world, only plants and fishes in the lake water are present. Why are other animals not visible all over the places? In the first place, there are only few opened landscapes where vegetation and relief do not cover the view after only few tens of meters. Furthermore, populations of certain species are located here in thickness that fits to their ecological role, or rather they are not that many to be everywhere and always. Only if captured, or if artificially fed, certain species could reach unnatural concentration. Finally, all those animals, and specially mammals, have been leaming for centuries that man is danger for them, and that they should avoid him. Even though the Park has existed for over half of a century, with no hunting in it, animals are losing inherited caution slowly, and beside that, they are being hunted outside the Park borders.
Still, a little bit of attention and efforts can make you see a part of animal world wealth, which is surrounding you. Amphibia and reptiles can be seen if you only walk a bit slowlier and look down. To see the birds, you should look at the sky, tree crowns or the lake surface. Mammals are usually the most difficult to be noticed, but therefore these meetings ate the most exciting ones. Do not however expect to see every single species. Traces left behind them are not less interesting. Leg traces are easiest to be seen on snow and then it is possible, following traces, to reconstruct the entire movement and other activities of the animal. The place where they have been laying could be found as well as feeding places and changes in moving speed. If several of them have been together, they can be counted, same as if a mammal has been following the possible victim, spot of attack and overcoming the plunder can be recognized as well. Their entire life drama can be experienced while following traces. When there is no snow, traces can be expected in mud at water pools.
All animals which come for water, or those which just pass by, would leave their traces. If two boars were playing in a pool, you will find surrounding area sprinkled by muddy water, and trees covered by mud and effaced. In a meadow, boars often turn grass together with roots, while looking for vegetable and animal food. A lair of wild boar can be found, or rather a spacious place where a sow delivered young boars where they spent their first days of life. Badgers and foxes dig deep holes, and foxes are often using badgers' holes. There are cases when badger and fox live together in a large hole.
It is particularly intetesting to find animal feaces, and based on that can be estimated what that animal's food was. Many species like fox or martens put off their feaces on elevated spots in order to mark their territory. A wolf also marks the territory of his pack, and just next to it scratches the ground by paw. Still, finding the traces of bear causes the biggest excitement. A big paw trace is immediately recognizable and impressive. Using the paws, bear often marks certain trees, leaving in tree bark traces of his big claws, or takes off a piece of the tree bark, rubbing himself against such trees, leaving a lot of fur. On the spots where bear rests during the day, he cleans the area in a diametre of 60m and lays on the ground.
Bear's winter lair is particularly interesting. At the Plitvice it is usually an ordinary cave, but regularly with narrow entrance, therefore man can come in only by creeping. At certain depth, a bear prepares a comfortable bed made of dry leaves and grass or of coniferous branches. It is important not to disturb the lair where a female and little cubs are staying, because the female would leave them and they would freeze then.
Bigger mammals are easier to be seen in meadows, because there is better view and they are looking for food there. It is the best to stand quietly at the edge of a meadow, hidden behind some of the trees or to climb on a tree and record by camera all what is seen. Deer and roe deer usually pasture early in the morning and at dusk, and boars come out at night. Bear also eats many of grass species, but also destroys ant hills and wasp's nest while looking for protein food in form of their maggots. He may also turn a lot of stones or dig out rotten wood in order to find some food.
Often the question is whether meeting the bear is dangerous. Same as all other animals, a bear too runs away from man. Of course, a bear is strong enough to hurt, even kill the man, but he would only attack if either feels jeopardized or if female bear is worried about the young cubs. Therefore, if you notice a bear which still has not noticed you, do not sneak around and do not come close. Observe him from distance of over 50m if possible, but not less than 30, and leave quietly. Should you suddenly meet the bear, and distance between you is less than 30m, he will certainly notice you and most probably run away. He might stand on his back legs to observe you better by listening, smelling and seeing, it does not mean that his intention is to attack you. In any case, stop immediately, but do not run away and go aside and thus leave enough space for the bear to leave in a more passable direction. It would be good to speak in normal voice, so that bear could orient easier, not additionally disturbed. If you go through thick bushes, it is good to make noise, preventing the bear from being surprised while laying down. Go far from a female with young cubs. Do not allow too small bears to come close to you. When in the bear living area, respect that biggest continental beast, but replace fear with caution.
We wish the walk through the space of our Park to be an unforgettable impressions and possibly full of successful photos.
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