Poland's Tatra National Park shuts down routes to protect wildlife

The authorities of Poland's Tatra National Park have decided to shut down two popular mountain routes to protect bears and falcons. 

Warning sign near the closed trail leading to the Gąsienicowa valley in the Polish Tatra Mountains.

Photo: Grzegorz Momot

A mother bear and cub have been spotted wandering around one of the most popular routes in the Tatra mountains after waking from hibernation last week.

Climbing and skiing near Poland's famous Morskie Oko lake is also forbidden to protect the nests of a rare falcon species in the area.

Meanwhile, rescuers have issued avalanche and weather warnings for the entire Tatra mountains range.

The Tatra Volunteer Rescue Service (TOPR) and the Tatra National Park at the weekend warned hikers that trails in the mountain range were covered with a thick layer of fresh snow, with deep drifts forming in places.

The avalanche risk level was defined as significant, with six avalanches reported across the mountain range only on Friday.

Brown bears are the largest mammals inhabiting the Tatra mountains. They usually hibernate from November to March. Adults weigh around 300 kg and live up to 50 years.

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