The European bison is a Eurasian
\nspecies of bison that has become increasingly endangered in Europe. Due to
\nexcessive hunting, poaching and the ever shrinking of its natural habitat, the
\nEuropean bison has become extinct in many countries. The last bison population
\ndisappeared in Western Europe as early as the 11th century, with
\nEastern Europe still home to a healthy bison population until 1927. The last
\nbison was killed in Moldavia in 1762, and in 1790 in Transylvania. The only
\ncountry that continued to host bison population was Poland, which is to date
\nthe country with the highest number of free-roaming bisons. Romania too is
\nmaking efforts to reintroduce the bison into the wild in various areas of the
\nCarpathian Mountains, in Neamt, Caras-Severin and Hunedoara Counties. At the
\nend of 2019, the Conservation Carpathia Foundation kick-started a new project
\nto reintroduce the bison in the Fagaras Mountains. As the bison population keeps
\ngrowing, the degraded habitats will be restored and the wildlife will be
\nreinvigorated. Adrian Aldea, a specialist with the Conservation Carpathia
\nFoundation, told us more:<\/p>\n
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\n
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We are talking about a wider
\nproject carried out by the Conservation Carpathia Foundation, to create a
\nwildlife habitat, one of the biggest in Europe, where we plan to reintroduce
\nthe beaver and the bison where these species are missing. The European bison is
\nmissing from most areas of the country, except those where this species was
\nforcefully reintroduced. It is a majestic animal, currently on the endangered
\nlist, an umbrella species that can contribute to the introduction of other
\nspecies, that would help rebuild the food chain. Our project entails the
\ncreation of three reintroduction areas, and for five years we will be bringing
\nsome 30 European bisons to each of these locations. After ensuring a period of
\nacclimatization and quarantine, as per the sanitary and veterinary regulations
\nin place, the bison population will be released in the wild. We have 11 bisons
\nin quarantine right now which will be monitored. They are fitted with GPS
\ntracking collars, allowing us to see the areas they cross, which habitats they
\nprefer. The bisons are brought from reproduction centers in Europe and in
\nRomania, and their selection is based on the genetic profile. At present we
\nhave 4 bisons from Germany and 7 from Poland. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The Southern Carpathians are
\ncurrently home to the largest wild area in Europe, spreading over three
\nprotected sites: Retezat National Park, Domogled-Cerna Valley National Park and
\nthe Tarcu Mountains Natura 2000 site. As early as 2014, Rewilding Europe and
\nWWF Romania have been carrying out a project to reintroduce the bison in these
\nlocations. Today, dozens of bisons are roaming free between the two areas in
\nTarcu and Poiana Rusca Mountains, and the project is set to continue until
\n2021. The authorities want to use the wildlife to increase biodiversity and
\nboost the sustainable development of local communities. Matei Miculescu is a
\nbison ranger in Tarcu Mountains. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
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Right now we have some 50 bisons
\nroaming free. The bisons are adjusting quite well, we even have 6 bisons born here
\nin 2019. Their habitat spreads some 100 square kilometers. In Armenis, with the
\nbison reintroduction project, we have an opportunity to develop local tourism.
\nEco-tourism will attract more people, considering that Armenis hasn’t fared
\nquite well in this respect. We have designed a few packages for tourists who
\nwant to visit the area and enjoy nature, admiring the free-roaming bisons
\ntogether with local guides, even sleep outdoors, in safari-like tents, during
\nthe summer season. To promote this type of tourism, we are cooperating with the
\nEuropean Safari Company based in the Netherlands, but we have also set up our
\nown websites. One such website is magurazimbrilor.com, where people can see
\nwhat’s happening in Armenis, and our second website is nearly ready. Here
\neveryone interested can find out more about the nature outings we are going to
\nstart this year. We will have a three-day package with hikes, trying to spot
\nfree-roaming bisons, and longer trips with a focus on reconnecting with nature,
\nlearning new things about the bisons and birds. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
As soon as bisons were brought to
\nArmenis, the locals have set up a local association called Magura Zimbrilor
\nArmenis, offering agri-tourism services. Matei Miculescu:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
We have a few ongoing projects,
\none infrastructure project we are conducting jointly with the Armenis Town
\nHall. We are trying to build some green houses, in harmony with nature, to
\naccommodate tourists. We also thought of setting up a community kitchen that
\nwill try to cook local products, such as fruit, vegetables, dried fruit, jams,
\nzacusca and so on. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The Vanatori Natural Park in Piatra
\nNeamt is also carrying out a project of reintroducing bisons into the wild. It
\nis the only place in Europe where bisons can be found both free and in
\ncaptivity. <\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
(Translated by V. Palcu)<\/p>\n
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