New Estonian Mammal Distribution Atlas covers 45 years of wildlife data

A newly updated Estonian Mammal Distribution Atlas has been released, providing a comprehensive overview of all wild mammal species living freely in Estonia. The atlas draws on observation data from various databases spanning two periods: 1980–1999 and 2000–2025.

Estonia's updated Mammal Distribution Atlas has been published, offering the most current and detailed picture yet of how wild mammal species are spread across the country. The atlas compiles observation records collected over the past 45 years, drawing from multiple scientific databases to create a comprehensive geographic overview of Estonian wildlife.

The data underpinning the atlas is divided into two distinct time periods — 1980 to 1999 and 2000 to 2025 — allowing researchers and conservationists to track how mammal populations and their ranges have shifted over the decades. This comparative approach makes it possible to identify species that have expanded their territories, declined in numbers, or disappeared from certain areas entirely.

The atlas covers all mammal species known to live freely in Estonian nature, from common woodland creatures to rarer or more recently arrived species. By consolidating data from a wide range of sources into a single reference work, the publication aims to support both scientific research and practical conservation planning across Estonia.