Threat to Wisent Conservation Amidst Ukraine War

Ongoing conflict in Ukraine poses a serious threat to the survival of the wisent, also known as the European wood bison, the last remnant of megafauna that once roamed Europe. Conservation efforts, especially in Ukraine and Russia, were offering hope for the revival of this endangered species. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, commencing on February 24, 2022, jeopardizes these efforts. Ukraine hosts over 50 percent of free-living bison.

Historical Range

The wisent, once abundant in Europe during the last ice age, faced drastic population decline and eventual extinction in the wild by 1927, leaving only around 60 individuals in captivity.

Extinction Drivers

The study, “Millennial processes of population decline, range contraction and near extinction of the European bison,” identifies rapid environmental change and human hunting as primary drivers of the wisent’s disappearance across Europe.

Simulation Analysis

Researchers conducted 55,000 simulations, combining paleoclimate data, habitat information, human population dynamics, and bison dispersal patterns. Firearms introduced in the 1500s significantly accelerated the species’ decline.

Appropriate Rewilding Areas

The researchers recommend specific regions, including parts of Poland, Ukraine, western Russia, the Balkans, and Germany, as the most suitable for wisent rewilding. These areas align with historical habitats and offer optimal conditions for the species.

Conservation Importance

The European bison is a priority for conservation due to its role as an ecosystem engineer, contributing to the restoration of grassland habitats. Approximately 7,300 free-ranging European bison exist today.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2023