Common name

European bison

Species name

Bison bonasus

ARKive fact

With the advance of agriculture, vast tracts of habitat were lost and this combined with persecution by hunting, caused the European bison to become Extinct in the Wild in 1927. Re-introductions of the bison to some of its former range have proved extremely successful and represents a remarkable conservation success story.

Conservation status

Vulnerable

Distribution

Previously roamed throughout western, central and southeastern Europe but by the beginning of the 20th Century persisted only in two protected ancient forests in Poland (Bialowieza Forest) and the former Soviet Union. By 1927, the species had been lost from the wild entirely and only 54 individuals survived in European Zoos.

Habitat

Inhabits mixed forests, with undergrowth and open spaces.

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