The swamps cover 253.01 square kilometers and considered to be more than 9000 years old.

The Landscape Reserve "Yelnya" was founded in 1968.

[4] Yelnya swamp is a stopping point for birds that migrate from the north through Belarus for wintering in Israel and North Africa.

Approximately 150 bird species live and nest here.

[1] This Belarus location article is a stub.