Polish wisents in Spain
In first days of June this year there has been one of the longest and largest transport of bison. Seven animals were transported from the Białowieża and Pszczyna to Castile and León, autonomous region in northern Spain.
The beginning took place in Białowieża where five cows were loaded, the youngest one year old and the oldest was 11 years. In the the Reserve Żubrowisko in Pszczyna they were joined by two bulls. The journey was quite long, but it went smoothly, despite minor traffic jams and hot weather in western France and in the Basque Country. Trip for Białowieża cows lasted 2.5 days, while for Pszczyna males only 2 days.
We were welcomed in San Cebrian de Muda located in the Cantabrian mountains by beating of church bells, our car was greeted enthusiastically by residents who came in large numbers to see animals. The event was widely publicized by the media and was of great importance for the region, which is struggling with high unemployment. That day in the town there was an incredible atmosphere. Residents of San Cebrian de Muda and the surrounding area were extremely cordial, eager to help and very interested in bison.
Enclosure of 20 ha is located among forests and mountain meadows, which dominates the Pyrenean oak. Species composition of the local trees and shrubs differs from the previous habitats of animals. Bulls from Pszczyna could find here known tree - beech. Bison can also use meadows, where they can find many well-known plant species, especially among the legumes. Enclosure is located at an altitude above 1,000 meters above sea level, thanks to this climate here is cooler and more humid than in the southern part of the Kingdom of Spain known for its frequent droughts. There are plans to give to the bison in this area up to 400 hectares of land.
The region characterizes by high biodiversity, formerly in the vast halls and pastures were grazed herds of sheep, cattle, goats. Many farmers continue this land use but it is now becoming rarer. For this reason, open areas Cantabrian Mountains slowly overgrow, causing a noticeable decline of number of many native species once common in the vast region. This situation can save only the return of large herds of herbivores. Cantabrian Mountains residents are rare species such as brown bear, wolf, bearded vulture, and Cantabrian subspecies of capercaillie. Based on the absence of fossils from the area out of the Iberian Peninsula is considered that these areas were not inhabited by bison in the past besides the Pyrenees Mountains. The evidence of bison presence in Cantabrian Mountains can be numerous paintings of bison in the local caves, for example in the famous Altamira cave in Cantabria province, the oldest drawings there are estimated for 15,000 years. sary of the Battle of Grunwald, reminiscent of the Polish - Lithuanian alliance.
Text and photos: Łukasz Poławski