Details
Bison bonasus
Europe's largest land mammal, also called the wisent. It survived a near-extinction crisis through captive breeding and reintroduction.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
European bison use forest, grassland, forest edges, and open valleys. Modern herds often occur in reserves and reintroduction areas where winter forage matters.
They have high shoulders, short horns, dark brown fur, and a heavy forebody. Compared with American bison, they are longer-legged and less shaggy.
Females and young form herds, while adult males are often solitary or in small groups. Herds move between woods and openings while feeding.
They graze and browse on grasses, sedges, leaves, shoots, and bark. Seasonal shifts alter the balance between herbs and woody plants.
Males join female herds during the rut. Females give birth to single calves that follow the mother soon after birth.
The species vanished from the wild but was restored from captive animals. Low genetic diversity and disease management remain long-term challenges.
