Leśny Zwierzyniec, Animal sanctuary in Liszna, Poland
Leśny Zwierzyniec is a zoo in the village of Liszna, in southeastern Poland, where native forest animals such as deer, wild boars, raccoons, foxes, and mouflon sheep are kept in open, naturalistic enclosures. The grounds also include aviaries with a range of bird species, and the paths between enclosures wind through an open, wooded setting.
The zoo started when a forest ranger and his wife took in an orphaned fawn and began caring for injured and abandoned forest animals. What started as a personal effort gradually grew into an enclosure open to visitors.
The animals kept here are native to the forests of the Bieszczady region, so a walk through the grounds gives a clear picture of what lives in nearby Polish woodlands. Children and adults alike often stop at the fences to watch the animals move and behave at close range.
The site is near a train station and is generally open during the warmer months of the year. The paths are unpaved and run through open ground, so sturdy footwear makes the walk more comfortable.
Visitors can buy special food on site to feed the animals, which allows for close contact with the tame residents. The animals are so used to people that they often approach the fence on their own.
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