The Bialowieza Forest is one of the most precious forests in Europe. The last fragments of primeval forest have been preserved here as more than 1100 trees have now been protected as natural monuments. The forest is inhabited by the largest wild population of European bison in the world. One can also encounter wolves, lynx, elk, roe deer, red deer as well as many other species of mammals and birds. There are many tourist and educational routes, both hiking and cycling, within the area of the forest. In 1979, the forest was entered on the UNESCO world heritage list.