The European Bison (also called with the name Wisent) is one of Europe´s largest land mammals. Once native to North America, these majestic creatures were hunted to the very brink of extinction in that period. But thankfully, due to dedicated conservation efforts they have made a miraculous recovery.
A Gentle Giant
In the interrogatories of a vast maleness and strength, they are quite restful. Herbivores that primarily eat grasses, leaves and twigs. During winter, they have a thick (you may call it shaggy) coat which indeed helps them sustain the cold temperatures.
A Complex Social Structure
European Bison live in small herds made up of a dominant bull, several cows and their calves. In this state, the bulls fight ferociously for supremacy and thus mate with all fertile females. The victorious will then create the harem and protect his space.
A Conservation Success Story
Due to overhunting of the European Bison for their meat and hides, they population drastically reduced. Few individuals remained by the early 20th century. But numbers have been climbing, as the result of succesful conservation programs involving captive breeding and reintroduction.
In this day and age, European Bison roam in a number of countries around Europe such as Poland, Belarus or Russia. They are a reminder of what conservation can achieve and how we have the ability to change things for better or worse.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite successful herds of European Bison, the species is still not out of danger as it faces other threats such as habitat loss and fragmentation or sickness. Climate change as well threatens their populations, through habitat changes and with potential impacts to availability of food.
Conservation measures such as habitat restoration, disease control and monitoring of genetic diversity must therefore be continued to guarantee the long-term survival of this species.