The European Bison relocation has just started

The formation of bison free-roaming heard in the upper San river Valley has just started. The first bison from the demonstrational farmstead in Muczne in Stuposiany Forest District, were transferred to the adaptive farmstead.
23.01.2017 | ELŻBIETA STRUCKA, EUROPEAN BISON FRIENDS SOCIETY

The formation of bison free-roaming heard in the upper San river Valley has just started. The first bison from the demonstrational farmstead in Muczne in Stuposiany Forest District, were transferred to the adaptive farmstead.

First two bison that were caught are: Uroa - brought to Poland from Switzerland a few years ago, and Putomek – nearly one and a half year old bull born in Muczne. Until 23rd of January, six bison, which were carefully selected by the best specialists with regard to genotype and phenotype, were transported to Bieszczady in order to augment the population of the Białowieża - Caucasian genetic line. All bison are now socializing in new and more natural conditions.

First and foremost they were transported there in order to repopulate the southeastern most point of the Bieszczady region, where for three years there were no bison at all. The absence of bison in this particular region was caused by quarantine imposed after the detection of TB among bison group living there. At present however, animals will be safe.

Selected bison were carefully examined and two of them: Uroa i Pujan were fitted with GPS tracking neckband.

The relocation will take at least a few days because the operation is especially complicated in winter conditions.

Click here to see the European Bison Friends Society page

Despite caretakers’ encouragement, bison themselves are not willing to enter catch pens and special transport cages. The process should be “a voluntary act”, bison shouldn’t be scared and stressed. Only then will they accommodate to a new place quickly.

Bison will not stay for long in the temporary, spatial, and isolated from human settlements and roads farmstead. They will spent thereprobably 4 weeks which is long enough for animals to form social relationships within a group. The whole time bison are fed with supplementary oats, special pellets and haylage. After opening the fence they are expected not to leave this region.