Movements and habitat use of wisents in intensively managed rural landscape of Slovak Carpathians

Abstract

Monitored were movements of wisents fitted with radiocollars (2 bulls and 2 cows), released in January 2015 at Komańcza Forest District, Poland. At the end of March 2015, they moved across the main ridge of the Carpathians to Slovakia, over the distance of 32.3 km. Their MCPs in two following seasons (vegetative and winter) were respectively 60.08 and 27.60 km2. Areas of concentrated use (kernel 50%) were respectively 0.44 and 0.18 km2. During winter they remained in the vicinity of a collective farm where they fed mostly on beets and hay accumulated there for cattle. During the migration, they were present within all available land cover classes (deciduous and mixed forests and open areas) in similar proportions. After establishing the MCP, they were recorded much more frequently (proportionally in vegetative season 68.5:31.5, and in winter 79.0:23.0) within the forest, than at open areas. Obtained results show that this species may easily adapt to antropogenically transformed habitat, and benefit from easily available supplemental food. However they do not support theory on wisents dwelling in forests as a refugee species in a marginal habitat.