European Bison

European Bison: The Return of the Wild

An European bison in the forest is hard to overlook — and yet Europe’s largest land mammal often moves surprisingly quietly among the trees. Wherever it appears, the forest gradually changes: light reaches open spaces, new plants emerge, and wildlife returns.

Once considered lost in the wild, the European bison now lives again in Europe’s forests. As a keystone species, it helps keep habitats open and diverse. We are helping make that possible.

The bison herd at the Wisentgehege Springe in Lower Saxony

An Architect of Living Landscapes

The European bison (Bison bonasus) does not transform ecosystems overnight, but gradually over many years. As it moves through forests, it feeds on leaves and young shoots, preventing areas from becoming completely overgrown. This helps maintain clearings and transition zones where other plants can thrive.

At the same time, bison disperse seeds through their fur and dung, reconnecting habitats across the landscape. Insects, birds, and countless other species benefit from this dynamic process. Ecologists therefore describe the bison as a keystone species—one that helps preserve biodiversity and restore natural ecological processes.

A Species Nearly Lost

At the beginning of the 20th century, the European bison was extinct in the wild. All bison living in Europe today descend from a small number of animals maintained in zoos and conservation breeding programs. Their return to Europe’s forests is now regarded as one of the great success stories of international conservation.

In 2020, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reclassified the species from 'Vulnerable' to 'Near Threatened'—a rare indication that long-term conservation efforts can succeed. Yet the species remains fragile, requiring genetically diverse populations, sufficient habitat, and the support of the people who share these landscapes.

When Diversity Declines

The loss of biodiversity, fragmented habitats, and climate change are profoundly reshaping Europe’s ecosystems. The European bison therefore represents far more than a single species. It symbolizes the question of how much wilderness our landscapes will allow in the future.

The bison did not simply return. It was brought back.

That makes it a powerful symbol of ecological restoration and proof that rewilding is possible when science, patience, and public commitment come together.

Springe: Where Conservation Makes History

For nearly a century, the future of the European bison has been shaped at the Wisentgehege Springe Wildlife Park in Lower Saxony. Founded in 1928 and later dedicated to purebred bison breeding, the facility has raised generations of animals that have gone on to form new herds across Europe.

Springe is far more than a wildlife enclosure. It is a center for conservation breeding, research, and environmental education. Across approximately 90 hectares of natural forests and meadows, visitors can see how modern conservation works—long-term, science-based, and connected through international cooperation.

Why We Support This Project

The European bison demonstrates that species once thought lost can return.

It proves that conservation works when science, long-term thinking, and societal commitment come together.

At the same time, it represents entire ecosystems. Protecting the bison also means protecting forests, clearings, insects, and countless other species.

The Foundation for Animal, Nature and Species Conservation supports this project not only because of a single animal, but because of the living landscapes that depend on it.

Four Levers for a Sustainable Future

Genetics & Population Management
Coordination with European breeding programs, health monitoring, and careful bloodline management help ensure stable and genetically diverse populations.

Habitat Quality
Structurally diverse forests and open areas allow natural behavior and demonstrate the role of bison in dynamic ecosystems.

Knowledge Transfer
Guided tours, educational programs, and digital formats make the history, behavior, and conservation status of the European bison accessible to visitors.

European Cooperation
Collaboration with rewilding and reintroduction projects across Europe strengthens the long-term protection of the species and its habitats.

The European Bison Has Returned. But its future is not guaranteed. It depends on whether people are willing to make room for wilderness once again.