Damage to the crops inflicted by European bison living in the Knyszyn Forest

Abstract

The European bison population of the Knyszyn Forest, counts over 130 individuals. Because of the relatively poor food base in the Forest, animals especially in winter are forced to seek food outside. In period of the year just after the end of vegetation season, animals are leaving the forested area and start feeding on agricultural land, causing damages to crops. Still increasing level of damages makes necessary to undertake some measures aimed at limiting or mitigating the problem. In 2012, winter supplemental feeding was introduced with the goal to prevent movements of European bison in search for food outside the forest. In this paper are presented and analyzed the data on costs of supplemental feeding and compensation for damages paid in years 2008–2014.