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Guardian journalist explores Europe's last primeval forest in Bosnia
🇷🇸 Serbia /Culture & Society

Guardian journalist explores Europe's last primeval forest in Bosnia

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A British journalist from The Guardian visited Sutjeska National Park in Bosnia and Herzegovina, describing the ancient Perućica primeval forest.
  • The forest, one of Europe's last remaining primeval forests, is estimated to have grown for 20,000 years without human interference.
  • The journalist encountered wildlife, including signs of bears, and learned about the area's historical significance, including a World War II battle.

A journalist from The Guardian ventured into the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Sutjeska National Park, exploring Perućica, a primeval forest reserve described as one of Europe's last untouched wildernesses. The experience offered a glimpse into a landscape shaped by millennia of natural growth, far removed from human influence.

I know this bear. He knows me. We have met several times.

— Dejan ElezThe guide introduces his familiarity with the local bear population.

Guided by Dejan Elez, a local expert with a deep connection to the area, the journalist learned about the forest's unique ecosystem and its inhabitants. Elez, a former ranger and mountain guide, shared anecdotes about the local wildlife, including brown bears, emphasizing their intelligence and keen sense of smell. He recounted a stark warning about the dangers of encountering bears, illustrating his point with a grim tale of a hunter who met a brutal end.

Perućica, spanning 1,434 hectares on the steep slopes of a canyon in Republika Srpska, is estimated to have developed naturally for 20,000 years. Its difficult terrain and sheer cliffs have protected its ancient trees from logging. The forest is now under strict protection, accessible only with a guide, and recognized by UNESCO for its significance.

Bears are the sharks of the land, because they have the sharpest sense of smell on the mountain. They are very intelligent. I am deeply convinced that they know who their friend is and who their enemy is.

— Dejan ElezThe guide describes the intelligence and sensory abilities of bears.

From a viewpoint on a rocky ridge, the dense vegetation cascaded down the canyon walls towards the river below, fed by the 75-meter-high Skakavac waterfall. Elez led the way along winding paths, identifying various trees and expertly reading the signs of animal life. He pointed out tracks left by chamois and deer, and distinguished the markings of canids from the deeper scratches left by brown bears, even noting evidence of a bear raiding a beehive.

But there was one incident – a hunter who came to kill, and the bear peeled his face off like an orange.

— Dejan ElezThe guide recounts a cautionary tale about a hunter's fatal encounter with a bear.

Elez also contextualized the forest's natural beauty with its historical importance, referencing the pivotal 1943 battle where Yugoslav partisans broke through German encirclement amidst a fierce storm. The journalist's journey through Perućica offered a profound encounter with nature's enduring power and a testament to the importance of preserving such ancient ecosystems.

The wind was strengthening, and the lightning was like a strobe light.

— Dejan ElezElez describes the weather conditions during a historical battle in the area.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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