The Oostvaardersplassen are a Dutch nature reserve located between Almere and Lelystad in the province of Flevoland. The area was created after the reclamation of the Flevopolders.

The park is managed by Staatsbosbeheer (State Forestry Service) in a completely natural way, thus without human intervention. Over the last years this has resulted in a lot of discussions and protests in the Netherlands, because a big part of the grazer population dies during the winter. This eventually led to a change in management and the culling of nearly 2000 red deer.

This blog will provide you with the history of the reserve, an overview of the discussion, and the psychology surrounding it.

Get started on your journey through the Oostvaardersplassen!