Monitoring & Results

European Bison Monitoring To provide reliable data of the animals’ health condition and the development of the population of European Bison in Shahdag NP, monitoring is carried out in three ways: I) selected adult dominant cows are fitted with GPS/VHF radio collars II) camera traps have been installed in the national park III) an annual winter census will be carried out in the NP.

The first results In 2018/2019 the reintroduction centre and rewilding area were finalized and got into full operation. Shahdag NP staff were trained and equipped to monitor, protect and manage the European Bison. Local veterinarians have also been trained in specific bison health monitoring, handling and treatment; they also received special vet-equipment for such treatment under the existing conditions. Awareness campaigns by IDEA and WWF in the adjacent villages, especially schools, have been implemented to educate children and local people about the return of this species and the goals and reasons for the reintroduction. Since 2019 there has been at least one transport from Europe (usually from Tierpark Berlin/Germany) to Azerbaijan organized by the program. So far, 26 animals (May 2022) have been brought to the reintroduction centre. In May 2022 WWF and Tierpark Berlin agreed to bring up to 70 Wisent (LC Line) out of the EAZA/EEP to Azerbaijan until 2028. Since 2019, when the first animals arrived at the reintroduction centre, 7 (4 males, 3 females) calves have been born. The current population is 31 animals (June 2022). In December 2021, the first group of 20 animals have been released into the core zone of Shahdag National Park.