Project name:
Urgent actions for the recovery of European Bison populations in Romania

Coordinating beneficiary:

Partner:

Acronym: LIFE RE-Bison

Reference code:
LIFE14 NAT/NL/000987

Duration: 5 years.
Start date 01.01.2016.
End date 30.03.2021

Total budget: 1,816,991 euros
EU contribution: 1,362,735 euros

This Project is co-funded by the LIFE Programme of the European Union.

Objectives

Our specific objectives are:

• Establishing a wild bison population that is demographically and genetically viable, by reintroducing 100 individuals in the Țarcu Mountains and Poiana Ruscă Natura 2000 sites in south-western Romania, where one of the largest wilderness areas in Europe survives
• Local stakeholders are actively involved in reintroduction activities and in the preservation of their natural heritage, and take pride in supporting the bison comeback in their area
• The local community benefits  from the bison comeback and new related tourism opportunities which boost the local economy and alleviate pressure on natural resources
• Prevention and reduction of human-wildlife conflicts which may arise with the reintroduction of bison
• The general public at European level has an increased awareness of the bison and takes interest in the bison rewilding initiative; south-western Romania is acknowledged as a prime wilderness and bison destination
• Creating positive conditions and programmes of monitoring/research and education so that the area around Armeniș (the reintroduction site in the Țarcu Mountains) becomes a living laboratory for conservation of rare species and a hotspot for studying ecology, sustainable development, conservation as priority areas of interest for youth and young professionals