Contact with Wild Nature

The vast forests of Kočevsko offer a home to many large and small animals that you can rarely meet elsewhere. When visiting the forest with our experienced guides, you can meet some of them – you can meet them up close or from a distance through a camera lens. The most powerful and most known resident of the forests of Kočevsko is the brown bear.

The Kingdom of the Bear

The brown bear is Europe’s largest beast. It once spread out throughout the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere, but unfortunately it has already become extinct in many areas. Even in Slovenia it has been heavily hunted in the past, but with careful management we can proudly say that today its population is the most numerous in our forests. In Kočevsko, we are aware of the importance of this powerful animal, and with prudent measures and handling we ensure a satisfactory and safe coexistence. You can learn about bears by yourself, you can take a guided tour through the forest or go on an observation trip at night from the safe shelter of the forest observatories accompanied by a guide and the forest an observation at night from the safe shelter of the forest observatories accompanied by a guide and a hunter.  

Medved izpostavitev

The brown bear is a secured and protected species. It has been listed on the red list of endangered species in Slovenia since 1993. 

Observing and Discovering Bears in Their Natural Habitat

Take part in the unique 5-star Slovenia Unique Experiences adventure of observing bears in their natural environment.

Weekend Bear Watching Getaway

Get to know the forest and its inhabitants up close and you will understand how important it is to maintain responsible coexistence between nature and man.

Forest Wildlife

Many large and small animals have found their home in the forests of Kočevsko. We carefully protect their species and we are proud that all three beast have been preserved: the bear, wolf and lynx. There are other exceptional animals walking along our forests, such as deer, roe deer, fox and wild boar. You will find it hard to meet them in the forest by yourself, so we recommend you take a guided tour for a genuine experience of the wilderness.

The brochure "Tracking of wild animals" can also help you in identifying the tracks of wild animals. You can get it in printed form in all Tourist Info Centres of Kočevsko, or view the digital version here.

kocevsko volkovi martnak crop

Wolves are an important element of our natural heritage. The Slovenian wolf population is regarded as one of the rare indigenous populations which remain in Europe. The wolf is the largest representative of the dog family. They are characterised by living in packs lead by a wolf and a she-wolf; Other members of the pack are their descendants or relatives.

kocevsko MarjanArtnak Ris crop

The lynx is considered to be a rather rare animal in Europe. The lynx nearly disappeared from Slovenia in the past, but it was resettled in the forests of Kočevsko in the 1970s. The lynx belongs to the family of cats and, like most of its relatives, it hunts from an ambush. Due to its cautious nature, it is extremely difficult to notice, although the tuft on the tips of its ears is quite recognisable.

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Wolves are an important element of our natural heritage. The Slovenian wolf population is regarded as one of the rare indigenous populations which remain in Europe. The wolf is the largest representative of the dog family. They are characterised by living in packs lead by a wolf and a she-wolf; Other members of the pack are their descendants or relatives.



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The lynx is considered to be a rather rare animal in Europe. The lynx nearly disappeared from Slovenia in the past, but it was resettled in the forests of Kočevsko in the 1970s. The lynx belongs to the family of cats and, like most of its relatives, it hunts from an ambush. Due to its cautious nature, it is extremely difficult to notice, although the tuft on the tips of its ears is quite recognisable.

Kocevsko jelen 5

The deer is recognisable by its mighty antlers, which usually shed every year. The female deer, known as a hind, has no horns. Bot can be seen often in our forests, but they are particularly interesting in the autumn, when we can listen to their typical mating calls known as rutting.

lisica kocevsko kapele crop

Foxes are quite well-represented in Slovenia, so they can often be seen in the forests of Kočevsko. You will find it hard to see them during the day, but this is why a random encounter will bring you great joy. The fox is a nocturnal animal, and it hunts its prey during the night as well. It is a distinct omnivore, so its diet consists of mushrooms and fruits, grasshoppers, frogs, as well as larger animals such as pheasants or rabbits.

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The deer is recognisable by its mighty antlers, which usually shed every year. The female deer, known as a hind, has no horns. Bot can be seen often in our forests, but they are particularly interesting in the autumn, when we can listen to their typical mating calls known as rutting.



Right

Foxes are quite well-represented in Slovenia, so they can often be seen in the forests of Kočevsko. You will find it hard to see them during the day, but this is why a random encounter will bring you great joy. The fox is a nocturnal animal, and it hunts its prey during the night as well. It is a distinct omnivore, so its diet consists of mushrooms and fruits, grasshoppers, frogs, as well as larger animals such as pheasants or rabbits.

Wild animals in the forest of Kočevsko

WATCH video

Take a look at the videos of the wild animals that we caught on camera in the Kočevsko forest...

Look Up

In the forests of Kočevsko, everything is buzzing with life. To see some of its astounding inhabitants, you must look up, into the air and between the tree trunks. The white-tailed eagle is one of Slovenia’s biggest birds of prey, which has a wing span of over 2 metres. A glimpse of this wonderful bird during flight will take your breath away. Unfortunately, it’s very rare, so sightings are very precious. We are endeavouring to increase their numbers. During the summer or quietly sitting on a branch you can also see the Ural owl and the Northern goshawk, which are well-represented in the forest.

Life at and in the Water

The waters in Kočevsko are extremely clean and therefore offer good living conditions to many species. Over 70 species of birds live along Lake Kočevje, and the reeds offer a home to dragonflies and colourful butterflies. Cold and clean water of the rivers and lakes of Kočevsko is also suitable for fish and crabs and many other aquatic species.

Kocevsko Pticek Rakar

Great reed warbler

Kocevsko Metulj Pavlincek

Peacock butterfly

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Great reed warbler



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Peacock butterfly

Stories

  • Kocevsko Medved 4

    Bear encounter

    Written by: Kočevsko

    The forests of Kočevsko are shared by many inhabitants, including the brown bear. It is wise to keep in mind recommendations on how to behave and act when visiting the forest.

  • Evrazijski ris

    The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is the largest wild cat in Europe and one of the three large beasts that still inhabit the forests of Kočevsko (along with the brown bear and the grey wolf).

  • Miran Krape+z 1

    Bear's winter sleep

    Written by: Kočevsko

    The brown bear is the largest European representative of the carnivora order and is known as the most characteristic animal representative of Kočevsko, that is dormant in winter and often sleeps through the colder months.

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