The Western Capercaillie is generally known as a fauna representative that has problems with flying over fences and power lines. Based on professional literature, its occurrence is affected not only by the decreasing amount of primeval forest-type stands but also by bear overpopulation destroying anthills, predators, tourism and fruit pickers. The death of the capercaillie after the supposed collision with a cableway rope on 8th October 2020 is the second recorded case in the High Tatras in the course of 11 years as reported by the media.
The resort operator learned about the incident from TV news and started to search for more information instantly. “We were very sorry to hear that nature protection authorities had not informed us immediately. The case could have been investigated more in details, video recordings could have been examined. But it was the TV that ‘solved’ the issue instead,” recalled Dušan Slavkovský, the general manager of the Vysoké Tatry mountain resort. “Every time when it was necessary and a situation regarding fauna or flora had to be discussed with professionals, we always did that and we still do our best to communicate and find optimal solutions in cooperation with nature protectors, foresters, regional government bodies. And this is what we want to and will do this time again,” added Dušan Slavkovský.
Cableways represent the basic infrastructure of mountain resorts and serve for tourists but also as an ecological means of transport that operates to resort facilities and scientific institutions. In some cases, cableways are used by rescuers as well. The resort operator has taken the capercaillie issue very seriously and refuses to accept any criticism of mountain resorts based on two documented collision cases of a capercaillie with a cableway rope in the Tatras in the course of 11 years. Especially when countless numbers are hit by cars or killed by various individuals who stuff them and sell them online without being punished.
“We are ready to make practical and constructive steps. We are ready to support the establishment and operation of a capercaillie rescue facility financially. This is what we see as a factual way how to help protect and increase its population at the foot of the Tatras. If the neighbouring Polish Republic could succeed and release hundreds of capercaillies into the wild, why shouldn´t it work in our country? We believe that a facility of such kind could breed and release far more birds into nature that those two documented cased of unfortunate collisions in the Vysoké Tatry mountain resort,“ concluded Dušan Slavkovský.
In the High Tatras, protected nature coexists with a town, i.e. settlements and their inhabitants and services, businesses, tourists. It is thus for the sake of all of us to communicate together and find a common ground. And the capercaillie as well as the rescue facility suggestion could serve as a symbolic test to see whether all parties are ready for joint solutions.
Source: ŠL TANAP
___________________________________________________________________________
Tatry mountain resorts, a.s. (TMR) is the leader in tourism in Central and Eastern Europe; it owns or leases and operates attractive mountain resorts, amusement parks, golf resorts, restaurant facilities, sports services, stores and hotels. In the Low Tatras, Slovakia TMR owns and operates the resort Jasná Nízke Tatry and hotels Hotel Grand Jasná, Boutique Hotel Tri Studničky, Chalets Jasná De Luxe, Hotel Srdiečko, Hotel Pošta and Hotel Rotunda. TMR is also the owner of Aquapark Tatralandia, the largest Slovak water park with year-round operation, which besides water entertainment includes Tropical Paradise, a special tropical indoor hall with sea water, as well as Fun Park, and accommodation in bungalows and suites of Holiday Village Tatralandia. In Slovakia’s High Tatras TMR owns and operates the resort Vysoké Tatry with mountain areas of Tatranská Lomnica, Starý Smokovec, and Štrbské Pleso. In the High Tatras TMR also owns hotels Grandhotel Praha Tatranská Lomnica, Grandhotel Starý Smokovec, Hotel FIS Štrbské Pleso and A night on Mt Lomnický štít. In Austria the Group owns and operates the alpine glacier resort Mölltaler Gletscher, and its sister resort Ankogel Mallnitz. In Czechia TMR also owns a minority share in Melida, a.s., which leases and operates the Špindlerův Mlýn resort. TMR also leases and operates the ski resort Ještěd, Golf & Ski Resort Ostravice and leases Kaskáda Golf Rezort Brno, where it runs a hotel, a restaurant and a conference centre. In Poland TMR owns and operates Szczyrk Mountain Resort and Legendia – Silesian Amusement Park (Śląskie Wesołe Miasteczko). Real estate projects are mostly focused on development, construction, and selling of apartments and non-residential premises and on hotel lease in the TMR resorts. By the end of 2019 around EUR 400 mil. had been invested into development and modernisation of TMR’s resorts. TMR shares are traded on three European stock exchanges – in Bratislava, Prague, and Warsaw.