| Review: |
The main task of the European Bison Strategy and its Conservation Strategy is to conserve this bison as an integral part of Europe’s native fauna, to preserve its genetic variability, and enable free-ranging viable populations to function as natural components of European ecosystems. This report presents the latest knowledge of the European bison, including its origin, taxonomy, phylogeny, genetic structure, historical and recent distribution, population, biology and ecology. It also discusses the important actual and potential threats and research needs. These are the basis for outlining the global conservation strategy and necessary action plan for protecting and managing the species. |