European bison in Russia – past, present and future

Abstract

The area of the European bison during historical time Holocene is discussed with addition of new information published in last years. Northern border of an area corresponds 600 N. The area included average and southern Urals Mountains, the south of Western Siberia. On the east the European bison lived up to the Altay Mountains and Lake Baikal. The same area at a red deer having similar ecological needs. Increase of inbreeding level considerably and negatively influences adaptable and reproductive opportunities of a bison. This circumstance is especially shown in case of its reintroduction in mountain areas. The basic projects on cultivation of the European bison in Russia are discussed.