The Oostvaarderplassen is an almost accidental wildlife refuge in the new lands of Holland around Lelystad. The area flooded after it was diked and drained and before it could be reclaimed, migrating birds, in particular, found it and claimed it as their own. It became a instant birding and wildlife observation destination for thousands of Dutch and European nature lovers. The Dutch government recognized the situation, and after a considerable struggle, set the land aside, unreclaimed, as a refuge. However it soon began to fill with volunteer forest, and the marshes the birds favored were threatened with natural filling and overgrowth by trees. To keep the refuge open and accessible to birds, large grazing animals had to be introduced. An attempt was made to recreate the natural balance of life that might have filled the area in prehistoric times. Heck cattle, the result of a breeding-back to original stock project in Poland, were introduced to stand in for the wild aurchos of the time, along with Konig Ponies, the result of a similar breeding program for horses. Red Deer, somewhat mingled with North American Elk, were introduced in place of the wild herds of ancient times, and Roe Deer entered from the surrounding area and established themselves, along with all the common small mammals of the area…fox, badger, squirrels, hares, etc.

The plan was to build “wildlife bridges” over major highways and railways to allow free flow of the population along wildlife corridors to and from other refuges further inland and in Germany. Construction was started on two, but, due to the economic crisis of the past few years, neither was finished. The Osstvaarderplassen is an example of an isolated, closed, and largely overpopulated attempt at “rewilding.” It has to be aggressively managed to maintain a healthy population, especially of the large mammals, and especially of Red Deer.

These Red Deer were feeding near a larger herd of Konig Ponies and allowed me to walk within about 50 yards of them (and several 100 yards from the Ponies), as I passed along my way back from the observation tower behind the brand new Visitor’s Center. They were clearly aware of me as both they and I were right out in the open meadow, but seemed relatively unconcerned. It was certainly a special moment for me. I will post some of the shots of the Konig Ponies in future days.

Canon SX50HS at 1800mm equivalent field of view (full zoom plus 1.5x digital tel-converter). Program with my usual modifications. f6.5 @ 1/1000th @ ISO 320. Processed on the Google Nexus 7 in PicSay Pro.