Bison reintroduction 'Rothaargebirge', Germany
News and Press Releases from Large Herbivore Foundation » Bison reintroduction 'Rothaargebirge', Germany
Large Herbivore Foundation supports the Wisent-Wildnis-Wittgenstein e.V. bison reintroduction project in the 'Rothaargebirge', Germany.
On the 3rd of February 2010 the first European bison would become reintroduced in Germany, Rothaargebirge. LHF is - together with Artis Zoo, Amsterdam - one of the keen supporters of this reintroduction process. Because of the heavy snow is the release oft the animals postponed.
Siegen-Wittgenstein and Hochsauerland administrative districts, North Rhine-Westphalia, this pilot and development project's main aim is to establish a free-ranging herd of European bison in an approximately 6,900 ha area of the Rothaargebirge region. Based on the supporting capacity of the land, the ultimate size of the bison herd is estimated at 20 to 25 animals.
The project is intended to make an active contribution towards conserving the European lowland bison that goes significantly further than breeding efforts in zoos. Reintroducing the bison will also extend the range of large indigenous herbivore species and refill a currently vacant ecological niche for grass and roughage eaters.
Measures to secure acceptance in the region aim to show that with suitable management, a viable habitat can be created for formerly indigenous large mammals even in densely populated Germany, and that human land use interests can be reconciled with such animals' needs.
About half of the project territory falls within a Natura 2000 site, the 'Schanze' area. It is therefore necessary to decide what reintroducing bison means for conservation in this area and its future development. This includes determining the animals' impact on the tree population and natural woodland regeneration, and also on woodland development when looked at from a commercial forestry standpoint.
As dense populations of hoofed animals can cause severe forestry damage, another project goal is to study how bison affect forestry objectives. A study will also be made of game management approaches designed to minimise such damage (e.g. improving food availability and adapting the hunting regime).
A viewing enclosure and information stand will inform visitors to the region about the biology and history of the European bison, the aims of the project, the animals' place in the ecosystem and associated natural processes. The viewing enclosure and information stand will also help to guide visitors and advertise the project.
Source: http://www.bfn.de/0202_wisente+M52087573ab0.html
Project page: http://www.largeherbivore.org/bison-reintroduction-project-in-the-rothaargebirge-germany/
