Białowieża Forest has survived thanks to both its status as a royal property, and because of special protection over the centuries. This last fragment of European primeval forest is not only a treasure of natural heritage but also a cultural legacy from our forefathers.
This book is based on the results of the most recent research in the history of the Forest’s natural environment. It reveals some events from the old times: royal hunts, the fate of the hunting manors in Białowieża, as well as the ups and downs of European bison protection initiatives. It shows various efforts and how effective they were in reaching a compromise between protecting nature and taking advantage of it.