Vostok-Service has begun cooperation on the guardianship of the European bison with the Oksky State Nature Biosphere Reserve.
Vostok-Service has begun cooperation on the guardianship of a European bison with the Oksky State Natural Biosphere Reserve.
We have begun cooperation with the Oksky State Natural Biosphere Reserve on the guardianship of a European bison. The European bison is a large and powerful animal, the last representative of wild cattle in the European part of the continent. It is listed in the Red Data Book. Our new charge will be a purebred Caucasian–Białowieża bison named Merkiz.
The history of this hybrid line, which traces its origins to the Caucasian and Białowieża (lowland) bison, is truly dramatic. In the early 1920s these animals were completely exterminated in the wild by hunters. The present population descends from twelve individuals that survived in zoos and reserves in the early 20th century. The Caucasian line survived thanks to its single remaining representative at the time — a bull called Kavkaz.
Low genetic variability is the Achilles’ heel of this species. But thanks to conservation efforts by zoos and private individuals, in 1952 the first free herds of bison reappeared in the Białowieża Forest. The Oksky State Natural Biosphere Reserve also became one of the places where Caucasian–Białowieża bison found refuge and protection: here they are cared for, studied, and efforts are made to maintain and increase their numbers and to reintroduce them across the European part of Russia and even to other countries.
Today there are approximately 8,500 individuals worldwide. The largest numbers are held in Poland (~ 2,500), in Belarus – about 2,300, and in Russia – 1,800. That is 77% of the global population. This animal is not afraid of predators — bison can effectively defend their herds; by nature it is a peaceful animal. We are pleased that we can help preserve this powerful and beautiful creature.