18th wild horse reserve established in Central Europe – EnviroNews

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Central Europe now has another site where large herbivores help to protect the natural environment. A new wild horse reserve was recently established near the village of Loukov in the Czech Republic. This is now the 18th reserve for large ungulates established with the involvement of the European Wildlife conservation organisation. 

Conservationists have brought the first two wild stallions from Podyjí National Park on the Czech-Austrian border to the site. Another five animals are expected to arrive by the end of the year. 

Private owners purchased the land for the reserve specifically for the purpose of nature conservation. European Wildlife provided the large ungulates free of charge.

“We would like to thank the founders of the new reserve near Loukov very much for the dedication with which they have approached the creation of the reserve,” said Dalibor Dostal, director of the European Wildlife conservation organisation.

This is now the third reserve for large ungulates that European Wildlife has helped to establish this year. The first two have been operational since the start of the year in the Šumava Protected Landscape Area and in the Bohemian Paradise. Wild horses also help to maintain the landscape there. 

The natural grazing of large herbivores helps to restore biodiversity in wild areas. Furthermore, it is very important for climate protection. Unlike farm animals, wild ungulates help to sequester carbon in the soil. Scientists recently calculated that grazing ecosystems involving large ungulates contribute 50 per cent more to global carbon sequestration than all the forests on the planet combined.

Furthermore, large ungulates help to restore soil and retain water in the landscape. In addition, in areas where these ungulates live, there are three-quarters fewer ticks in the diverse natural environment than in the surrounding countryside.