Rollers have appeared near military positions: what is known about them
During the war in Ukraine, rollers, which are rare predators in our country, have appeared. They are found near military positions and in frontline areas. Vadym Manyuk, a geography teacher at Dnipro National University, explains that there are few scientific expeditions in the combat zone, but the military notes changes in animal populations.
It is normal for a person to serve in the army while simultaneously being a researcher. Currently, it is difficult to conduct special studies, but animal behavior can be studied not necessarily at the front line. The passive consequences of hostilities are noticeable at a distance of 20, 50, or even 70 km - some species disappear, while others become more numerous, - explained Manyuk.
During the war in Ukraine, attention has been drawn to animals that were previously little known, for example, the roller. This rare predator lives in the steppes of Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhia regions, weighing up to 700 grams. Only about 100 of these animals remain in Ukraine. They hunt at night, destroying numerous rodents and helping to maintain vegetation.
In the combat zone, the military has discovered changes in the populations of rollers, rare predators that play an important role in the natural balance of their regions. Despite difficult conditions, they continue to fight for survival and help conserve the ecosystem in the conflict zone.