European bison

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A herd of bison (Bison bonasus) grazes in tall prairie grass with mountains visible in the background.

European bison (Bison bonasus)

Discover how European bison contribute to forest biodiversity

European bison

mammal

Also known as: Bison bonasus, wisent

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Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

wisent — wisent Wisent (Bison bonasus).

The European bison, also known as the wisent, is the largest land mammal in Europe. This species (Bison bonasus) is closely related to the American bison but is slightly smaller and has denser, darker fur.

European bison once roamed widely across Europe but became extinct in the wild in the 1920s. Fortunately, through reintroduction programs using captive populations, they have been brought back and now inhabit several protected areas. These efforts have led to a significant increase in their numbers, with conservation organizations noting a population growth of over 10 percent annually between 2015 and 2019.12

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Belovezhskaya Forest
…I, the European bison, or wisent, was reintroduced to the Belovezhskaya with zoo-bred animals. The forest remains the European bison’s most notable home, though the animals are now also found again in other parts of Europe, including Lithuania, Russia, and Ukraine. Once the hunting grounds of kings and tsars, the…
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…I, the European bison, or wisent, was reintroduced to the Belovezhskaya with zoo-bred animals. The forest remains the European bison’s most notable home, though the animals are now also found again in other parts of Europe, including Lithuania, Russia, and Ukraine. Once the hunting grounds of kings and tsars, the…
Read More

bison
…to North America, and the European bison (B. bonasus), or wisent, is native to Europe. Both species were drastically reduced in numbers by hunting and now occupy small protected areas that are tiny fractions of their former ranges.
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…to North America, and the European bison (B. bonasus), or wisent, is native to Europe. Both species were drastically reduced in numbers by hunting and now occupy small protected areas that are tiny fractions of their former ranges.
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Belarus
Plant and animal life
…the major home of the European bison, or wisent, which had become extinct in the wild following World War I but was reintroduced through captive breeding. Elk, deer, and boars also are found there and in other forests of Belarus, together with small game, hares, squirrels, foxes, badgers, martens, and,…
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…the major home of the European bison, or wisent, which had become extinct in the wild following World War I but was reintroduced through captive breeding. Elk, deer, and boars also are found there and in other forests of Belarus, together with small game, hares, squirrels, foxes, badgers, martens, and,…
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zoo
Function and purpose
…breeding in zoos is the European bison, or wisent, the last wild specimen of which died in 1925. Other species that zoos have helped to survive include Père David’s deer and many rare game birds. The increasing number of zoo births gives hope that zoos, rather than capturing wild animals…
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…breeding in zoos is the European bison, or wisent, the last wild specimen of which died in 1925. Other species that zoos have helped to survive include Père David’s deer and many rare game birds. The increasing number of zoo births gives hope that zoos, rather than capturing wild animals…
Read More