Skole Beskids National Nature Park

Flora and fauna

Most of the park is forested on gravelly soils, with the highest altitudes supporting spruce-fir-beech forest, much of it over 100 years old. Over 635 species of vascular plants have been recorded, along with 204 vertebrate animals, including 18 fish species, 9 amphibians, 6 reptiles, 121 birds, and 50 mammals. Among the mammals are red deer, roe deer, wild boar, and 9 bison, which were introduced in 1965 with 10 individuals (6 females and 4 males) that adapted and reproduced. Other mammals include bear, black ferret, red fox, yellow-breasted field and wood mice, gray wolf, fox, and forest marten.

Rare Red Book species found here are brown bear, forest cat, lynx, otter, badger, ermine, European broad-eared owl, long-eared owl, small horseshoe-nosed owl, and small ptarmigan. Eight bat species are listed on the Bernese List and one on the European Red List. The park hosts 18 game animal species, such as deer, roe deer, wild boar, hare, squirrel, fox, and forest marten.

Did You Know?

• The park's geology consists of deep-sea sedimentary rocks of Cretaceous and Paleogene ages, known as flysch, composed of sandstones, siltstones, argillites, limestones, and marls.
• The average temperature in January is -6°C and 16°C in July, with average precipitation of 800-1100 mm per year.
• The park offers horse excursions, ecological tours, and guided tours up Mount Parashka.