Return of the European bison
The European bison, the largest land mammal on our continent, was severely hunted until it finally became extinct in the wild in 1927. By then, only 54 individuals remained, all in captivity. Rewilding Europe has made an action plan and works with many partners to bring back the European bison to its ancestral lands by establishing new wild bison populations in several of our rewilding areas, and creating new breeding stations. Until now we have released more than 30 bison into European landscapes and will continue to do so through cooperation with wildlife parks and zoos in Europe.
The bison is not only endangered and in strong need of more space to roam, it is also what is called a “keystone” species in Europe’s ecosystems. Its grazing and browsing behaviour opens up bush land into open mosaic landscapes and its trampling and manure creates space for hundreds of other species. The bison is simply a biodiversity enforcer that we really need out there.
Check out our bison infographics for more facts about the species.
Choose the return and expansion of the European bison to where they once belonged, like in Romania, Bulgaria, Poland and Slovakia.