Belarus is preparing a new edition of the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus. Reports suggest that the new version plans to downgrade the conservation status of the European bison, brown bear, lynx, and badger.
According to Pavel Heshthovt, Deputy Director for Science and Innovation at the Scientific and Practical Center for Bioresources of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, there are allegedly "objective reasons" for this decision. However, it seems that the real "objective reason" threatening these species is the persistent lobbying by Igor Shunevich, former Minister of Internal Affairs and now head of the Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen.
The motivation is straightforward: to legalize the already ongoing hunting of protected and highly valuable animals, organize a "Belarusian safari" for Lukashenko’s elite and close associates, and profit from selling permits to hunt Red Book species.
Will Shunevich succeed in carrying out this criminal plan to slaughter protected animals? As long as Lukashenko holds power in Belarus, the answer is unfortunately yes.
Who Is Igor Shunevich?Igor Shunevich served as Belarus' Minister of Internal Affairs from 2012 to 2019 and was the former general director of the Minsk hockey club Dinamo. He is infamous for attending the May 9, 2015 Victory Day Parade in an NKVD officer’s uniform. In May 2019, Shunevich refused to apologize to the Roma community after mass detentions conducted during the investigation into the death of a traffic police officer near Mogilev.
Since October 2021, Shunevich has headed the Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen (BOOR) and, much like during his time as Minister of Internal Affairs, has taken on this role with reckless enthusiasm, disregarding both the law and common sense.
One of his first moves was to express disdain for the Red Book of Belarus, a document protecting rare and endangered species of animals, plants, and fungi. Notably, this document also restricts his ability to orchestrate the hunting and commercialization of protected species.
In Shunevich’s view, the Red Book is a "rudiment", an obsolete tool that hinders the "rational" use of natural resources. Rational use, in his interpretation, means exploitation to serve the interests of Lukashenko and his inner circle.
Shunevich even proposed removing bison and bears from the Red Book and opened discussions about hunting storks — a symbol of Belarus — and "arrogant predators" who, he claims, "are losing their fear of humans". For Shunevich and the regime he serves, it is crucial that fear of them prevails in all spheres.
Shunevich has stated that the valuable and protected wildlife of Belarus is overpopulated: "There are too many bears; they need to be culled. And bison, supposedly, no longer require protection. Regarding predators, he frames them as having developed a habit of disregarding people: "Of course, predators have a role in nature. But if they start getting cocky due to the lack of hunting pressure and lose all fear of humans, that’s abnormal".
He even criticizes birds for their "excessive success": "If the populations of swans and storks were slightly reduced, it would only benefit other species".
Criticism and ResistanceIn response to criticism from zoologists and conservationists, Shunevich dismisses them as "eco-loons", refusing to accept the perspective that animals and birds are not mere resources but living inhabitants of Belarus' forests, steppes, and wetlands, whose existence has intrinsic value.
Regrettably, there is currently no one in Belarus to effectively resist such madness against protected wildlife. Some environmentalists have been imprisoned by the Lukashenko regime, while others have fled the country due to repression.
A Trophy Hunting AgendaAs head of BOOR, Shunevich also advocates for the development of a trophy-hunting industry at the state level.
"Belarus is a country with a rich hunting tradition. Today, we believe that hunting trophies should become a national asset. There should be a national trophy book, rankings, competitions, and other events that are integral parts of the hunting industry and culture", Shunevich said.
This vision marks the next step: after the slaughter of protected animals, Shunevich is laying the groundwork to institutionalize his plans at the state level.
In November 2023, the Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen, under the leadership of Igor Shunevich, introduced awards called the "Great Belarusian Five" and the "Great Belarusian Seven", designed to recognize trophy hunting achievements.
To earn such a "distinction", hunters must "harvest" specific trophies within five years, according to standards outlined in a special regulation. Notably, the first of these awards was already presented by Shunevich to his ideological inspiration — the dictator Alexander Lukashenko.
For the dubious "Great Belarusian Five" award, a hunter must take down a moose, deer, roe deer, wolf, and wild boar. To achieve the "Great Belarusian Seven", one must additionally kill a European bison and a capercaillie.
These awards come at the cost of animal lives, with many of these species already facing serious concerns from environmentalists about their survival in the wild. By creating a culture of trophies, the regime seeks to legitimize and promote the killing of animals that are not merely trophies but an integral part of Belarus's living nature. Behind this lies the pursuit of profit, and those in power, led by Lukashenko, are unlikely to stop themselves. They are greedy and unscrupulous, prioritizing short-term gains over ethical principles.
Shunevich’s actions and statements shock with their cruelty and complete disregard for the role of wildlife in ecosystems. He carelessly proposes reclassifying the European bison as a game species, arguing that it is "no longer threatened" and can be "harvested by the dozens."
Yet the European bison is not just a species that was recently on the brink of extinction—it is a symbol of Belarus. Contrary to the logic of conservation, which values every life of these rare animals, Shunevich is ready to reverse years of efforts to protect them for the financial interests of Lukashenko and his inner circle. He calls himself a hunter, but a true hunter respects the forest and its inhabitants. Without this respect, one becomes a cynical poacher.
Hunting originally emerged as a means of survival when humans depended on nature, understanding and respecting its rhythms, and taking no more than necessary. At its core was the awareness that forests and their inhabitants are not just resources but part of a unified world whose well-being directly impacts humanity. These concepts, however, seem alien to Shunevich.
Even more alarming is his attitude towards bears. His shocking proposal to "regulate their population" because they supposedly "have lost their fear of humans" reveals that he sees animals not as living beings but as problems to be "solved." Such a stance reflects a shortsighted and dangerous understanding of human-wildlife relationships.
This approach undermines principles of humane treatment of animals, leads to ecosystem degradation, disrupts natural balance, and diminishes biodiversity—values that should underpin state policy.
Under the guise of promoting hunting in Belarus, Shunevich also actively lobbies for involving hunters in territorial defense. He argues that hunters possess knowledge, weapons, equipment, and vehicles that could be used to guard facilities, support snipers, and counter diversionary-reconnaissance groups.
Following his suggestion, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense organized retraining courses for hunters to qualify for the military specialty of "sniper." The question arises—why? Is this preparation for new protests in the country? Such steps may signal the regime’s intent to create additional forces to ensure its security.
Shunevich, with his primitive outlook, seems incapable of imagining what Belarus could be if the state genuinely cared for its unique natural heritage. Instead of encouraging hunters to kill protected animals, Belarus could become a magnet for millions of tourists eager to see European bison, lynx, deer, moose, and other treasures of its forests in their natural habitats.
Imagine a Belarus where every corner of nature is not a hunting ground but a protected area where humans and animals coexist in harmony. In such a country, caring for nature would become not just a fashionable topic but a key pillar of sustainable development. By viewing our forests, meadows, and wetlands as living treasures, we could create new opportunities for growth and earn not from bloodshed but from the beauty that is becoming increasingly scarce on our planet.
Picture forest trails designed for wildlife observation, where people encounter deer, elk, and other woodland creatures that are unafraid of human presence because they are protected and respected. Belarusian forests could become a magnet for eco-tourism, attracting visitors from around the world eager to see bison, lynxes, and storks in their natural habitats—not behind the bars of a zoo. We could establish safe viewing platforms offering breathtaking sights of wild animals. Visitors could stay in eco-friendly lodges that blend seamlessly into the landscape, providing an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. This approach could generate significantly more revenue for the country than hunting.
Beyond tourism, Belarus could become a hub for nature conservation education. In reserves, we could organize eco-camps and excursions for schoolchildren and students, teaching them about forest life and the importance of protecting biodiversity. Workshops for children and adults could focus on birdwatching, trekking, and nature photography.
Think of how many jobs this focus on nature could create—from guides and rangers to reserve staff, instructors, and researchers. Investments in these areas would improve the well-being of local communities, providing jobs and opportunities for growth. Local artisans, craftsmen, and producers of natural goods could also support this eco-friendly business by selling their creations and delicacies to visitors.
In a world where Belarus is renowned for its natural wealth, not hunting but respectful stewardship of forests and wildlife would become a source of national pride.
For Belarus, in a post-Lukashenko era, to become a country where nature conservation and economic development go hand in hand, significant reevaluation of priorities will be required, along with the support of civil society and investors, and the involvement of international organizations.
Environmentally focused governance can lay a strong foundation for the country’s future, where protecting and respecting nature will be a source of national pride and a model for other nations to follow.
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