'Straight Out of a Western Film': European Bison Return to Wild in Germany

[sysop]

For the first time since the 18th century, the European bison is returning to Germany to live in the wild. The wisent, as it is also known, has been brought to the country by a famous prince. Although the creatures' survival is uncertain, the project has already attracted considerable attention.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...-a-874387.html

[NeilFiertel]

Bison are very shy, reticent to be around people and if cornered, well, not a good idea but they avoid this, believe me! In a small herd the males form a formidable defensive perimeter, heads down and shoulder to shoulder and thus nothing to be trifled with, it goes without saying. The question is..are they thus dangerous? The answer is, leave them alone and they will most certainly reciprocate. They are beautiful and impressive for the smaller of the bison family and are similar to what we all here in Canada, Prairie Bison as opposed to the truly huge Woodlands Bison. One an go to preserves where bison roam freely and no one is injured by rampaging bison. In other words, keep children away from them, stay back at least 100 metres and don't try sneaking up on them. They are NOT cattle as one thinks as they are related but have a much more suspicious and wild nature which is why they survived the Ice Age. You are lucky to have been able to save these beautiful creatures from extinction. You will not be sorry to see them in the forest and fields.

[powermeerkat]

"The species lived on in Eastern Europe, until a poacher killed the last specimen in the Caucasus in 1927."
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What a nonsence! European bison has survived in Eastern Poland's Białowieża Forest, and since 1950s and today hundreds of them live there (being a protected species).