Białowieża forest is the last large forest that still stands, as a part of the primeval forests that once forested the majority of Europe.
It was one of the last refuges of the European bison (or Wisent), and the last wild one was shot in 1921. Thankfully, they were reintroduced shortly afterwards, and there are now at least 700 living wild in this forest.
Wolves were intentionally persecuted from 1946, which lead to a successful eradication by 1960. Thankfully, though this forest is close to more forests too the East, so wolves were able to naturally recolonize. Hunting continued, though in a disorganised and not trying to eradicate them, until 1989 when it was strictly banned.
The last bear was killed in 1879, so well outside living memory.
That is why it was so exciting that a bear was caught on a camera trap last year.
This epic journey, like that of a bear traveling from the eastern bear population to meet with wild Spanish bears, shows that these big predators will make epic journeys, especially when dispersing from their birth home range.
It is essential that new roads are all built with underpasses, as well as building underpasses under current roads. Apart from reducing the number of human deaths in the roads, it also allows for larger single populations which can cope with the pressures of disease, poaching hunting and even global warming.
