- New Czech reserve becomes the 18th large ungulate sanctuary supported by European Wildlife, with research highlighting 50% higher carbon storage potential and 75% fewer ticks in restored landscapes.
Central Europe has expanded its network of nature-based conservation sites with the establishment of a new wild horse reserve near the village of Loukov in the Czech Republic. The reserve is now the 18th sanctuary for large ungulates created with the involvement of the European Wildlife conservation organisation.
The project marks another milestone in the growing movement to use natural grazing by large herbivores as a tool for biodiversity restoration, climate resilience and ecosystem recovery.
To launch the reserve, conservationists transported the first two wild stallions from Podyjí National Park on the Czech-Austrian border to the site. An additional five animals are expected to arrive before the end of the year, further strengthening the grazing population.
The land was acquired by private owners specifically for conservation purposes, while European Wildlife supplied the large herbivores free of charge to support the initiative.
“We would like to thank the founders of the new reserve near Loukov very much for the dedication with which they have approached the creation of the reserve,” said Dalibor Dostal, Director of the European Wildlife conservation organisation.
The Loukov reserve is the third large ungulate conservation site that European Wildlife has helped establish this year. The first two became operational earlier in 2026 within the Šumava Protected Landscape Area and the Bohemian Paradise, where wild horses are already contributing to landscape management and habitat restoration.
Conservation experts increasingly recognise the ecological value of large herbivores in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Through natural grazing, wild horses and other ungulates prevent the overgrowth of vegetation, create diverse habitats and support a wider range of plant and animal species.
Their contribution extends beyond biodiversity. Scientists have recently calculated that grazing ecosystems involving large ungulates contribute approximately 50 per cent more to global carbon sequestration than all forests worldwide combined, underlining their importance in climate change mitigation efforts.
Large herbivores also play a significant role in improving soil health and water retention. By naturally disturbing the soil and vegetation, they help restore degraded landscapes and increase the land’s capacity to absorb and store water.
Another notable benefit is public health. Studies have shown that landscapes inhabited by large ungulates host around 75 per cent fewer ticks than surrounding areas, thanks to the greater ecological diversity maintained through natural grazing.
As Europe continues to explore nature-based solutions to environmental challenges, the new Loukov reserve stands as another example of how wildlife conservation can simultaneously support biodiversity recovery, climate protection, healthier soils and more resilient ecosystems.
