The Sporovsky Nature Reserve (Zakaznik) is the first territory in the Republic of Belarus to receive the international protection status of the Ramsar Site.
The Biological Reserve is the largest massif of lowland bogs (fens) in Polesie located in the floodplain of the Yaselda River, which is unique in terms of its area and natural preservation for Central Europe. In the territory of the Sporovsky Nature Reserve, there is also a lake of the same name.
Sporovsky’s bogs have come down to us almost in their original form that made it possible to preserve many endangered species of plants, animals and birds, including the aquatic warbler ̶ the rarest songbird in Europe. The flora of the nature reserve is very diverse ― more than 600 species of vascular plants, which is about 35%, growing in the Republic. Twenty species are listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus.
The Nature Reserve is also rich and varied in its fauna. The Sporovsky Nature Reserve is an important area for birds. In total, 123 species of nesting birds were recorded within its boundaries, 32 out of them are listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus.
In addition, the nature reserve is home to 25 species of mammals (excluding small rodents and bats), 6 species of reptiles, 8 species of amphibians, 34 species of fish and more than 245 species of insects. The most numerous reptiles are lizards ― quick and viviparous, the grass snake. Coming across some protected species, the European pond turtle and the smooth snake, is also possible. Of amphibians, the most common are the moor and grass frogs, and among the rare ones there is the natterjack toad, which is listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus. Frequently occurring fish ― the pike, the common roach, the tench, the common bream, the crucian carp, the silver bream, the European perch; there are also the channel catfish, the three-spined stickleback, the ninespine stickleback and others, and of the rare ones ― the river lamprey.
Mammals inhabiting the nature reserve: the elk, the European roe deer, the red deer, the wild boar, the raccoon dog, the European polecat, the ermine, both stone and pine martens, the common fox, the European hare, the American mink, the European beaver, the muskrat, the European otter, andthe wolf etc. The European badger was noted among the protected species.