scholarly journals Daily activity rhythm and habitat use of the semi-free European bison herd during the growing season / Denní aktivita a využití prostředí zubrem evropským (Bison bonasus) během vegetační sezóny

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaroslav Červený ◽  
Miloš Ježek ◽  
Michaela Holá ◽  
Miloslav Zikmund ◽  
Tomáš Kušta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Daily Activity ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Activity Rhythm ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
European Bison ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Bison Bonasus ◽  
Rayleigh Test ◽  
In The Wild

Abstract The European bison (Bison bonasus) became extinct in the wild in the 20th century. Due to successful reintroductions of captive individuals, the free-ranging bison population has been steadily increasing. However, the population consists of small and isolated herds whose survival depends on creating larger and connected populations. Detailed knowledge of movement and habitat use in human-dominated landscape is essential for further successful reintroductions of the European bison. Therefore, we studied daily activity and habitat use of the semi-free European bison herd in the hunting enclosure of Židlov from April to September 2014. The lead cow of the herd was fitted with a GPS collar equipped with GSM module. The average home range size of the herd was 29.5 km2 and the average daily utilisation area was 0.5 km2. Forested habitats were preferred during the day (Rayleigh test: Z = 107.31; p < 0. 0001) whereas idle lands (i.e. former shooting ranges now dominated by a mixture of pioneer tree species, hawthorn and grasslands) during the night (Rayleigh test: Z = 214.451; p < 0. 0001). The bison herd did not show any clear preference for a particular forest type (i.e. coniferous, deciduous, different age classes). Additional knowledge on year-long patterns of movement and habitat use is needed to ensure the success of reintroduction programmes

scholarly journals Bison bonasus bonasus as a museum exhibit in the 18th – early 20th centuries

2018 ◽  
Vol 322 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.A. Fedotova
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Community ◽  
18Th Century ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
European Bison ◽  
Bison Bonasus ◽  
Museum Exhibit ◽  
The Status ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
The Russian Empire

The paper discusses the Białowieża bison (Bison bonasus bonasus) as a museum exhibit in the 18th – early 20th centuries, basing on the analysis of archival documents, mainly from St. Petersburg. One of the last remnants of extinct megafauna once roaming through Europe, by the Early Modern time it had been eliminated in the most part of its previous range. In the 16th–18th century, it had the status of a natural curiosity and an exclusively royal game. In the 18th century, the carcasses of the European bison from the imperial menageries went into the cabinets of curiosities where they became the objects of study for naturalists. By the late 18th century, the last population of the European lowland bison had survived in Białowieża Primeval Forest, which became a part of the Russian Empire with the Third partition of Poland. The attention of the Imperial family, which preserved the system of protection of the European bison and the forest where they lived, ensured the survival of the species till WWI. The development of zoology and zoological collections provided a new status to the Białowieża bison – the status of a valuable gift of the Russian Tsar to a scientific community. To receive such a precious gift, a scientific community had to use its diplomatic and bureaucratic channels, to recruit a naturalist willing to travel to Białowieża, to organize a hunt, to process the skin and bones, and finally, to deliver this massive package to a museum. Nevertheless, throughout the second half of the 19th century, most requests made by European and Russian naturalists were granted and the majority of zoological museums received the European bison from Białowieża, either in form of a stuffed animal, a skeleton, or at least a skull. The transformation of the 17–18th century Kunstkammern into research zoological institutions and the development of taxidermy went in parallel with the transformation of the European bison as a museum exhibit. Stuffed animals became anatomically accurate; new expositions included habitat groups, and some institutions amassed extensive collections for comparative study. The presence of the European bison almost in every major European museum made them well known for wider public. In 1919, the last Białowieża bison was killed in the wild, but the popularity of this species helped the restitution of the animal. Nowadays, the “old” specimens are of interest not only from a historical point of view, but also as a source of samples for genetic research.

Genetic status of the European bison Bison bonasus after extinction in the wild and subsequent recovery

Mammal Review ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata TOKARSKA ◽  
Cino PERTOLDI ◽  
Rafał KOWALCZYK ◽  
Kajetan PERZANOWSKI
Keyword(s):  
Bison Bison ◽  
European Bison ◽  
Bison Bonasus ◽  
Subsequent Recovery ◽  
Genetic Status ◽  
In The Wild

Habitat structure, climatic factors, and habitat use by European bison (Bison bonasus) in Polish and Belarusian parts of the Białowieża Forest, Poland

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Daleszczyk ◽  
M. Krasińska ◽  
Z.A. Krasiński ◽  
A.N. Bunevich
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Habitat Structure ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Deciduous Forests ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
European Bison ◽  
Bison Bonasus ◽  
Białowieża Forest

Białowieża Forest is divided into Polish and Belarusian parts that differ in habitat structure and degree of protection. The forest supports two European bison, Bison bonasus (L., 1758), populations that are isolated from each other. We analysed bison habitat use from relocations of 34 radio-collared bison from both populations collected in 1993–2003. The two bison populations differed considerably in habitat use, but home-range sizes were similar. The habitat structure in the Polish part is more advantageous for bison (deciduous forests prevail) than in the Belarusian part; however, open areas form a rich source of forage for ungulates in the Belarusian part, which presumably helped to eliminate the difference between the two parts. In 1977–2003, the annual temperature in this area rose and the total precipitation diminished. As a result, the habitat use by bison changed in both populations when compared with those in earlier studies; use of coniferous forests decreased, while use of deciduous forests and alderwoods increased. Generalized linear models on relationships among climatic factors and habitat use showed that the amount of water accessible in the period up to 4 years ago was the main factor affecting the use of various forest types. Habitat preferences differed between adult bulls and groups that included cows, but were similar in both populations irrespective of the differences in habitat composition.

scholarly journals Behaviour and daily activity rhythm of European bison in winter

1983 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 273-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystyna Caboń-Raczyńska ◽  
Małgorzata Krasińska ◽  
Zbigniew Krasiński
Keyword(s):  
Daily Activity ◽  
Activity Rhythm ◽  
European Bison ◽  
Daily Activity Rhythm

scholarly journals Stress hormone level and the welfare of captive European bison (Bison bonasus): the effects of visitor pressure and the social structure of herds

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Klich ◽  
Rafał Łopucki ◽  
Marta Gałązka ◽  
Agnieszka Ścibior ◽  
Dorota Gołębiowska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Active Role ◽  
European Bison ◽  
Bison Bonasus ◽  
Fecal Cortisol ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Parasitic Burden ◽  
Cortisol Levels ◽  
Study Sites

Abstract Background Captive European bison (Bison bonasus) play an active role in conservation measures for this species; this includes education, which may conflict with these animals’ welfare. The effect of the presence of visitors on the welfare of captive animals can be negative, positive or neutral. However, the response of a given species to visitors is difficult to predict, since even closely related species display varying levels of tolerance to captivity. The aim of the study was to compare immunoreactive fecal cortisol levels (regarded as an indicator of the level of physiological stress) in groups of captive European bison that differed in terms of their social structure and the level of visitor pressure. The second aim was to determine if there was a correlation between intestinal parasitic burden and immunoreactive fecal cortisol levels. Results Immunoreactive fecal cortisol levels were not influenced by sex or age. However, study site and the interaction between study site and visitor pressure were statistically significant. European bison in one enclosure presented higher levels of immunoreactive fecal cortisol on weekdays than at weekends. In the other two study sites, the levels did not differ between weekdays and weekends. No correlation was found between parasitological infestation and immunoreactive fecal cortisol levels. Conclusions Measurement of fecal cortisol metabolites could be a valuable method for further research into the welfare of European bison in captivity. More subtle factors such as individual animal characteristics, feeding systems, and the arrangement of enclosures can be of great importance in terms of the effect of visitors on animals. The results of this study can be used in guidelines for the management of European bison populations.

Assisted colonisation trial of the eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii) to a fox-free island

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Groenewegen ◽  
Dan Harley ◽  
Richard Hill ◽  
Graeme Coulson
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Viable Option ◽  
Predator Exclusion ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Radio Transmitters ◽  
Release Group ◽  
Small Sites

Context Assisted colonisation has the potential to protect species from intractable threats within their historical ranges. The Australian mainland subspecies of the eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii) is extinct in the wild, with surviving populations restricted to small sites protected by predator–barrier fences. PVA modelling shows that a self-sustaining bandicoot population would require an area free of the introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes) of at least 2500ha. French Island is outside the historic range of the species, but is fox-free and contains around 9000ha of potentially suitable habitat. Aims This study will assess the suitability of French Island as a potential site for a self-sustaining eastern barred bandicoot population by conducting a 1-year assisted colonisation trial to assess habitat use, body condition and survival. Methods Between July and September 2012, 18 adult bandicoots were released. We radio-tracked bandicoots using intraperitoneal radio-transmitters for up to 122 days and trapped fortnightly. Key results The release group met the three measures of success: (1) appropriate habitat use; (2) recovery of post-release bodyweight; and (3) founder survival exceeding 100 days. Habitat use and body condition throughout the trial reflected that of mainland populations, and seven bandicoots survived longer than 100 days. Mortality was greatest in the first month, with veterinary investigations confirming two deaths due to cat predation, two deaths from toxoplasmosis and one unknown cause of death. Bandicoots that survived longer than 100 days occupied higher, drier ground than those that did not. Toxoplasmosis cases were associated with lower topographic position on the site. Conclusions Our results suggest that French Island provides suitable habitat for the establishment of a population of eastern barred bandicoots. On French Island, toxoplasmosis was identified as an important source of mortality in addition to cat predation, and warrants further investigation. Implications Given the costs and challenges of predator control and the maintenance of predator exclusion fences, assisted colonisation to one or more fox-free islands remains the most viable option to establish self-sustaining bandicoot populations. Our results highlight the value in conducting trial releases ahead of major translocations.

Antibody responses in European bison (Bison bonasus) naturally infected with Mycobacterium caprae

2021 ◽  
Vol 253 ◽  
pp. 108952
Author(s):  
Anna Didkowska ◽  
Monika Krajewska-Wędzina ◽  
Wojciech Bielecki ◽  
Sylwia Brzezińska ◽  
Ewa Augustynowicz-Kopeć ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
European Bison ◽  
Bison Bonasus ◽  
Mycobacterium Caprae
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