NTG Lost two European Bison in Studen Kladenets

Two European bison – the youngest of five - in the Studen Kladenets Reserve - died after a very short illness and despite the intensive veterinarian care provided by the NTG team. One female bison is under constant observation after being very weak and slowly recovering due to the persistent commitment of the team. Two other bison are doing very well. They are adapted to their new environment and to each other. All animals are constantly monitored by the project experts.

The bodies of the two dead animals have been autopsied and samples of organs and blood sent to the Thracian University in Stara Zagora (Southern Bulgaria) for a detailed examination. Everything has been done to get a better insight into the reason of death, but unfortunately no strong evidence on the cause of death could be identified yet.

Five European bison were brought in the end of October from two parks in Germany to the Studen Kladenets Reserve. This is the first step of the first reintroduction of the European bison in the Rhodopes, the highlight of the two-year project The wild world of the Eastern Rhodopes. The animals temporarily live in an enclosure learning how to deal with the Rhodopi nature.

Despite this misfortune the teams of NTG and Rewilding Europe are positive about the bison’s reintroduction in Bulgaria.

We express our deep gratitude to veterinarians, the team of Hunting society Studen kladenets, the local farmers and volunteers for the help they provide to the team in its daily efforts on the reintroduction of the European bison in Bulgaria. The European bison became very quickly an attraction for locals and tourists in the Eastern Rhodopes. Right now, the project team is very busy and cannot provide lectures and sufficient time to the tourists and visitors. We will appreciate people restrain for the time being from visits to the bison area.

Print this page | Send to friend