The European bison, also known as the wisent, is native to Europe. This large mammal historically roamed across the continent, playing a significant role in its ecosystems. While often associated with the American plains, a distinct species of bison has a deep-rooted history within European landscapes. Its journey from widespread presence to near extinction and subsequent recovery highlights its indigenous status in Europe.
The European Bison
The European bison (Bison bonasus) stands as Europe’s heaviest wild land animal. Adults typically measure between 2.8 to 3.3 meters in length. Males can weigh up to 1000 kilograms, while females are generally smaller, weighing between 424 to 633 kilograms. These animals possess a dense, dark to golden-brown coat, and both sexes feature horns that point forward, aiding in defensive interactions.
Wisent primarily inhabit broad-leaved and coniferous forests, often favoring mosaic landscapes that include open grasslands. They are herbivores, with their diet mainly consisting of grasses, shoots, and leaves. European bison can consume up to 32 kilograms of food per day, significantly impacting vegetation and contributing to the creation of mosaic landscapes.
Historical Range and Near Extinction
Historically, the European bison’s range was extensive, stretching across Europe from the Pyrenees in the west to the Volga River and the Caucasus Mountains in the east. They were once found in nearly all lowlands of Europe. This wide distribution indicates their historical importance across various European ecosystems.
Over centuries, the European bison faced severe population decline due to habitat destruction and overhunting. By the early 20th century, hunting had driven the species to extinction in the wild. The last wild European bison was killed in 1927.
The species survived only through a small number of captive individuals, with just 12 founder animals remaining in zoos and private collections. This made the European bison one of the most endangered large mammals globally. Its survival depended entirely on dedicated conservation efforts.
Distinguishing European and American Bison
While both European bison (Bison bonasus) and American bison (Bison bison) are large bovines, they exhibit several distinguishing characteristics. European bison generally have a more lanky body shape, longer legs, and are less shaggy than their American counterparts. Their body hair is also less dense, though their tails tend to be hairier.
A notable difference lies in their humps; the European bison’s hump is positioned further forward on its back and appears less pronounced than the American bison’s larger, more rearward hump. The horns of European bison point forward through the plane of their faces. American bison, in contrast, prefer charging, and European bison also tend to be less tameable.
Current Conservation and Rewilding
The European bison’s recovery from near extinction is a significant conservation success story. Beginning in 1951, captive breeding programs initiated from the few surviving individuals allowed for reintroductions into the wild. These efforts have led to free-ranging herds being established across several European countries, including Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, Ukraine, Germany, and Romania.
Poland’s Białowieża Primeval Forest hosts the largest free-living population, numbering around 1000 wild bison. The species’ status has improved from endangered to vulnerable, and then to near-threatened, reflecting the success of these reintroduction initiatives. Today, there are approximately 7,000 wild and semi-wild European bison across the continent.
These rewilding efforts highlight the wisent’s ecological role as a keystone species, shaping landscapes through their grazing and browsing habits. The ongoing conservation work demonstrates a commitment to restoring Europe’s natural heritage and ensuring the continued presence of this magnificent native animal.