Alarming situation of Bison in Ukraine
In the middle of 1990th the numbers of wisent in Ukraine represented about a third of the total world population, and counted from 664 to 685 individuals. Since then, in the last 20 years the Ukrainian livestock of this species decreased by three times.
Dynamics of European Bison numbers in Ukraine
Being a result of long time political and economical crisis: non-stop poaching, degradation of biotopes and improper selection game management, were the main reasons for the decline of Bison numbers in Ukraine.
In the Carpathian region difficult climatic conditions are added to the general problems. Also significant level of inbreeding is present in the most Ukrainian herds. Now, the only stable herd inhabits in the territory of the State Forestry "Khmilnytske" in Vinnytsa region. Most of other Bison population undergo a deep depression and are doomed to die out unless proper conservation measures will be applied in near future. Such situation already took place in Rivne, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernihiv regions, where Bison disappeared during the last decade.
Decline of the European bison's subpopulations in Ukraine
(black: official figures; red = recently counted figures)
Dislocation of European bison's subpopulations in Ukraine
Modern Ukrainian Bison metapopulation is presented by seven isolated subpopulations in five administrative regions: Bukovynska (Chernivtsi region), Lopatynska and Maydanska (Lviv region), Tsumanska (Volyn region), Uladivska (Vinnytsa region), Zaliska (Kyiv region), Konotopska (Sumy region). Centres of Bison settling in Ukraine are located in various landscapes - the Wood zone (Polissia), the Forest-steppe zone and Carpathian mountains. Almost all herds inhabit in the territories of forestry and hunting grounds and only one in the national nature park.
Thus, presence of Bison in the Ukrainian landscapes should be directed to support of stable increase of its numbers and areal expansion. However, these measures are necessary to solve these problems:
- Creation of central Bison hatchery or several regional hatcheries.
- Development of a complex of effective biotechnical measures for concrete lands users inhabited by Bison.
- Monitoring of subpopulations and study of animals adaptation (including for elimination of domestication).
- Regular conduct of informational and educational actions about necessity of Bison conservation.
Now, all Ukrainian Bison herds are presented by animals from the Bialowezian-Caucasian line which progenitors descend from the different breeding centers.
Researches on ecology and biology of Bison in Ukraine are supervised by the I.I. Shmalhausen Insitute of Zoology of NAS of Ukraine in cooperation with:
- the Institute of Ecology of Carpathians NAS of Ukraine;
- the National Forestry engineering University of Ukraine;
- the National University of Biological Resources and Nature Management of Ukraine;
- the Chernivtsi National University; the research enterprise "Hunting Resources";
- the Kiev Sozological Centre and the separate regional departments of forestry and hunting.
Dr. V. Smagol & Dr. G. Gavris
I.I. Shmalhausen Insitute of Zoology of NAS of Ukraine
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