Poland’s border fence with Belarus cuts through Europe’s last primeval woodland, Białowieża Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Built in 2021 to block migrants from entering the EU, Poland says the fortification is necessary to tackle hybrid warfareby Russia.
But the fence, and the increased numbers of people moving around it, pose a threat to biodiversity and wildlife corridors. Experts warn of genetic isolation for species like bison, wolves, and lynxes, while ongoing fortifications damage habitats.
Can Europe balance border control with protecting nature?