Of the total, 2,855 roam free in eight forests while 205 live in breeding centres and zoos, the agency said, hailing the result as proof that a century‑long rescue effort continues to pay off. A year ago the national herd stood at 2,820.
Where the bison are
Region (free‑ranging herds)
|
Animals
|
|
Białowieża Forest (east)
|
870
|
|
Bieszczady Mountains (south‑east)
|
764
|
|
Knyszyńska Forest (north‑east)
|
562
|
|
Western Poland clusters (three voivodships)
|
465
|
Smaller groups live in the Borecka, Augustowska and Romincka forests in the north, and in Lasy Janowskie in the east.
From brink of extinction
The European bison, or wisent (Bison bonasus), was hunted to extinction in the wild after World War I; only 54 survived in zoos.
In the 1950s, Polish scientists and foresters began re‑introducing captive‑bred animals to Białowieża, a primeval forest straddling the Polish‑Belarusian border now protected by UNESCO.
Poland today hosts roughly a quarter of the species’ global population.
New challenges
Larger herds raise the risk of disease outbreaks and crop damage, prompting foresters to plan relocations to less‑populated forests and to expand habitat corridors with funding from EU LIFE and Cohesion programs.
Veterinary teams also vaccinate bison against bovine tuberculosis and monitor genetic diversity to avoid in‑breeding.
Farmers near Białowieża and in western voivodships report more visits from hungry bison during harsh winters. The environment ministry says compensation payments topped PLN 8 million ($2.1 million) last year and will rise unless new feeding areas and fencing are installed.
Conservationists say Poland’s model now guides projects in Romania, Germany and Spain.
“Numbers alone don’t guarantee long‑term survival,” said Agnieszka Serwinska of the Mammal Research Institute.
“We need connected habitats and healthy genetics, but passing 3,000 is a milestone many once thought impossible.”
(jh)
Source: TVP Info, Lasy Państwowe