The заказник was established to preserve the Yelnya swamp and its surroundings during a drainage campaign. The "Yelnya" заказник is a Ramsar site of international importance for birds.

* A Ramsar site is a wetland of international importance as a habitat for waterfowl and wetland birds.

* An Important Bird Area is a territory vital for the survival of one or more bird species during nesting, wintering, or migration.

The "Yelnya" swamp is one of the largest raised bogs in Belarus and all of Europe, with over 100 lakes within its territory.

The Yelnya swamp is over 9,000 years old.

Swamps are called raised bogs because their center rises above the edge, sometimes by 7-9 m.

Cranes spend the night in swamps and feed during the day on crop residues in the surrounding fields within a 20-30 km radius of the swamp.

They build their nests on the ground or in marshy areas with shallow water.

Cranes form lifelong pairs and stay together all year round.

They feed on berries, seeds, insects, mollusks, other small animals, and plants.

The departure of common cranes for wintering lasts throughout October and sometimes extends into November.

Cranes fly in flocks, forming a wedge formation, during the day and usually at high altitudes.

Flocks during the autumn migration are significantly larger than in spring.

Dances are observed in all seasons and can be performed by a single bird, pairs, or even a flock on nesting grounds, during feeding stops, and at resting places.

The common crane has been listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus since 1981.