Restitution and reintroduction of the European bison, Bison bonasus, in Lithuania

Review paper

Abstract

The European bison, Bison bonasus, was once widespread in Europe but faced near extinction due to habitat loss and overhunting. Although 54 individuals remained by 1924, only 17 of the original 28 potential founders contributed to the current population, which is represented by 12 genotypes. Conservation efforts in Lithuania started in 1969 with the transfer of European bison from enclosures in Russia and continued with their release into the wild in 1973, establishing free-ranging populations. In 2024, the free-roaming European bison population in Lithuania is 284 individuals, representing approximately 3% of the global population. Despite population growth, challenges remain, including habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflicts, and critically low genetic diversity resulting from the species' bottleneck history. This study summarises historical and contemporary data on the conservation of European bison in Lithuania, focusing on population dynamics, habitat use, and genetic challenges. It highlights the importance of genetic management, translocation strategies, and habitat restoration for ensuring the long-term viability of species. These findings contribute to broader conservation efforts aimed at protecting this emblematic species in fragmented habitats.

Key words: European bison; Lithuania; history