The European bison in Belarus – problems and prospects

Abstract

The present state of populations and breeding centers of the European bison (Bison bonasus) in Belarus is reviewed. Presented are the population dynamics, state of their development and formation of the whole Belarusian metapopulation. Due to various factors and different protective measures, particular E. bison populations are at different stages of development: some remain at the beginning phase of their formation and some have already reached numbers, exceeding ecological capacity of the environment. The plan for the management of European bison metapopulation is developed, including an estimated of the optimal numbers of European bison in Belarus. Solutions for the problems related to excess E. bison numbers in some populations are presented.