The Ojcow National Park, established in
1956, preserves valleys of two small rivers, Pradnik and Saspowka. The park
includes 385 hectares of the strict nature reserve. Its fauna consists of about
6,000 animal species (insects make up the bulk). There are 134 species of birds
such as hawks, woodpeckers, owls, kingfishers, and herons. The Ojcow National
Park boasts also 15 species of bats whose colonies inhabit many of the park’s
400 or so known caves. Also, one endangered species of reptile, a harmless
snake gniewosz plamisty (smooth snake, Coronella austriaca). A program to
reintroduce beavers into
