Pszczyna’s bison in the Białowieża Primeval Forest and their role in restitution of species

Abstract

European bison Bison bonasus (L.) is one of not numerous animal, they have escaped fate of hundred of thousand species combated so far by man. It occupies exceptional position in kingdom of animals – species saved by man from extinction. European Bison Breeding Center in Białowieża has played particular role in this work – where after 10 years of killing of last wild representative of this species approached for its planned restitution in historic site in the Białowieża Primeval Forest. In process of restoring free population in the Białowieża Primeval Forest participated descendants of 4 Lowland bison which were fetched in year 1865 for Murcki in Upper Silesia. They have played capital role in restitution in the Białowieża Primeval Forest in the years 1929–1966 and saving of this species before all-out extinction. Restitution of free living bison population in the Białowieża Primeval Forest is not in history first. Releasing and breeding of bison in semi-free system in the Pszczyna Forest, which belongs to interpret as relocating of individuals in present captivation of nature protection (Pullin 2005), we can regard as world’s first attempt of restitution of this species in forest ecosystem in modern times, which has been performed 87 years earlier than in the Białowieża Primeval Forest (1952).