First exported wisent still going strong

Ten years ago the first European bison export out of Kraansvlak took place. One of the animals translocated was a wisent bull born in the Dutch dunes in 2011. He was born out of two of six Polish founders that had arrived in 2007-2008 to Kraansvlak.

He is now heading to its 15th year of life, which for a bison bull living under natural conditions is quite old. He was exported in August 2015 at the age of four. Around this age bulls reach adulthood and they start their reproductive life. His translocation, more than ten years ago to the Spanish project Palelitico Vivo project nearby Atapuerca in Spain, was the first export of an European bison from Wisentproject of Kraansvlak, and therefore a big milestone for the project! He left the dunes of Kraansvlak as a young bull of about 400 kg that has grown in to a 750Kg massive giant.

Translocation of wisents in Europa

Hundred years ago the wisent was completely extinct in the wild. Only 54 animals remained in captivity. Thanks to conservation efforts, breeding programs and (re-)introductions the wisent has moved a step upwards on the Red List of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) from ‘vulnerable’ to ‘near threatened’. Nowadays there are more than 10.000 living in Europe, most of them in nature areas under (semi-)free roaming conditions. Despite the fact of its successful come-back in the European landscapes, most populations are isolated. Meaning that natural exchange of individuals cannot take place.  By exchanging wisents, mostly bulls, the relatively small subpopulations are held genetically healthy which is of great importance for the overall species conservation. 

Up to now already 26 wisents from Kraansvlak have been translocated to different sites in Europe. Fourteen to different areas in Spain, two to Czech Republic and ten to other sites in the Netherlands. At least 21 calves born in Spain have Dutch wisent blood. 

Photo credits:

Wisent cow with calves: 20 July 2011, exact 2 months old: Ruud Maaskant©
Two bulls: 23 July 2015, 4 yrs, prior to export: Ruud Maaskant©
Bull in Atapuerca, Spain,2026: Manuel Mata Hurtado©