This spring, a new phase of transport regulations for Morskie Oko will be implemented, marking a significant change in how tourists reach this popular destination. Under the new rules, horses will only be required to pull carriages over the first, gentler 2.5 kilometers of the route. After this initial segment, visitors will switch to electric buses, which aim to alleviate the environmental impact and improve animal welfare. In addition, the heavy carriages currently used will be replaced with lighter, more efficient vehicles.

The decision to alter the transport system follows a series of troubling incidents involving the horses used for transport over the demanding terrain. In recent years, there have been numerous reports and scandals related to mistreatment, with horses pushed beyond their limits in adverse weather conditions. The tipping point for many advocates for animal welfare was the unfortunate death of a horse named Jordek, which sparked public outrage and increased calls for reform.

Szymon Ziobrowski from the Tatra National Park explained that while the goal is to eventually transition to electric vehicles wholly, the reduction in the distance horses will have to cover is only to be enacted once certain conditions are met. This significant shift reflects growing concerns not only for the well-being of the animals involved but also forms part of a broader movement towards sustainable tourism in Poland, aligning with global trends of reducing reliance on traditional animal transport methods. The implementation of these changes could serve as a model for other tourist destinations with similar practices.