Awareenss Raising Seminars on the Reintroduction of Bisons Held for Schoolchildren

On 29 May through 1 June, seminars for schoolchildren in the regions of Azerbaijan have been conducted within a bison reintroduction program implemented by IDEA, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and WWF Azerbaijan.

The seminars were organized at the schools of Ismayilli and Gabala district, including the villages of Buynuz, Istisu, Gurbanafandi, Topchu, Galadjik, Samaghali, Khanagah, Vandam, Bunud, Nohurgishlag, Mammadaghali, Tuntul and Yengija, located in close distance from the habitat of the bison.

Lectures were given on the reintroduction and conservation of the endangered bison, threats to its long-term existence and role as an ecological driver. Restoration efforts to save the rare species in the country have been of a great interest and curiosity for the young people. 

After being hunted to extinction a century ago, 12 bison were brought to Azerbaijan from zoos in France and Belgium within the project. The animals were placed in an acclimatization area that has been specifically built for them in Shahdag National Park. After showing signs of adaptation, animals from the acclimatization area will be released into the re-wilding area. The next 8 more animals are expected to arrive in the current year.

Number of projects are successfully carried out by IDEA, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and WWF Azerbaijan to protect some of the most endangered species of the country and built awareness about them.

The European bison, also known as wisent, is one of two extant species of bison, alongside the American bison. The species, was hunted to extinction by local poaching in Azerbaijan. The last wild bison was shot in the Caucasus mountains in 1927. Most of the bison populations in the world have been restored in the zoos and these efforts continue toward the full restoration of the species. The giants of the forest are known for their incredible strength and have long been considered as a symbol of power by humans.

Given the potential role of the bison in further enrichment of biodiversity and development of forest ecosystems in Azerbaijan, the project officers are calling those who live in the northern region of the country and the overall public in general to support the efforts of returning the bison to local nature, including their conservation and prevention of poaching.