# Wildlife activity and road safety risks in Poland > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/wildlife-activity-and-conservation-in-poland > Updated: 2026-10-12T10:25:58.000Z. Sources: 22. Developments: 6. Seasonal wildlife activity and conservation efforts have been documented across various Polish regions. In late August, observations in the Kozłowieckie Forests showed young male deer preparing for the rutting season, while in Olsztyn, naturalists proposed the creation of an ecological reserve named ‘Ostoja czajek’ to protect breeding northern lapwings. By mid-September, seasonal shifts continued in national parks. The moose rut commenced in Biebrza National Park, and in Polesie National Park, approximately 2,000 cranes were observed gathering in the Zastaw area to feed before their autumn migration toward Europe and North Africa. As the deer rutting season progressed, increased animal activity raised significant road safety concerns. In the Beskid Mountains, particularly near Babiogórski Park Narodowy, stags have exhibited aggressive behavior, including territorial battles and loud roaring. Police and foresters have warned that stags may travel long distances and ignore oncoming traffic, posing a lethal threat to motorists. By early October, the danger of wildlife-related traffic accidents escalated. In northern Poland, a fatal collision with an elk occurred on the S61 expressway near Czerwonka, close to the Lithuanian border; a 40-year-old female passenger died in the hospital following the crash. In a separate incident on provincial road 726 in Bogusławski Duże, a collision with an elk caused a vehicle to overturn, hospitalizing a 21-year-old driver. In mid-October, environmental regulations regarding tree removal for investment projects are coming into focus as the contractual bird nesting period ends on October 15. However, the General Directorate for Environmental Protection emphasizes that year-round prohibitions remain regarding the destruction of habitats, nests, and shelters for protected species. Simultaneously, foresters continue to warn of heightened moose-related accident risks during September and October as animals move between feeding and breeding grounds. ## Claims - The 40-year-old female passenger died in the hospital following the collision. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The 45-year-old driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The accident occurred around 9:30 PM on Friday on the S61 expressway near Czerwonka, north of Suwalki. (corroborated by 3 sources) - There are more than 30,000 wild moose living in Poland. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Increased moose-vehicle collisions are attributed to roads cutting through previously continuous natural habitats. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-12: Poland: Environmental regulations and wildlife activity increase in autumn With the bird nesting season ending in mid-October, tree removal may proceed in Poland, provided protected habitats are not destroyed. Meanwhile, increased wildlife mating activity raises road collision risks. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-environmental-regulations-and-wildlife-activity-increase-in-autumn ### 2026-10-03: Poland: Fatal car accident involving elk kills passenger A 40-year-old woman died following a car collision with an elk on the S61 expressway near Suwałki, Poland, on Friday night. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-fatal-car-accident-involving-elk-kills-passenger ### 2026-10-01: Poland reports fatal and serious traffic accidents involving elk Fatal and serious traffic accidents involving elk have been reported in northern and regional Poland, highlighting risks as the country's elk population has grown to over 30,000 animals. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-fatal-car-collision-with-moose-on-s61-expressway ### 2026-09-19: Poland deer rutting season increases road safety risks The deer rutting season has started in Poland, prompting police warnings about increased wildlife activity and the risk of dangerous animal collisions on roads, especially near forested regions. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-deer-rutting-season-increases-road-safety-risks ### 2026-09-11: Wildlife activity increases in Polish national parks Wildlife activity intensifies in Poland as moose enter their mating season in Biebrza National Park and thousands of cranes gather in Polesie National Park ahead of their autumn migration. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wildlife-activity-increases-in-polish-national-parks ### 2026-08-26: Wildlife observations reported in Kozłowieckie Forests and Olsztyn Wildlife observations in Poland highlight young deer training for the rutting season in Kozłowieckie Forests and urgent conservation efforts for rare northern lapwings in Olsztyn. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wildlife-observations-reported-in-kozowieckie-forests-and-olsztyn --- Cite as: Wildlife activity and road safety risks in Poland. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/wildlife-activity-and-conservation-in-poland