Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Management of wildlife and husbandry of captive animals have in common the fact that they rely on a solid base of knowledge about the concerned species in order to be successful. The management of the European bison represents an encouraging story of conservation and captive breeding managing to bring a species back from the brink of extinction to a relatively safe status in the wild.
In this study the aim is to explore aspects of European bison behaviour, primarily to investigate a herds’ behavioural response to changes and investigate if the results can help expand the existing pool of knowledge and discern new potential directions for future research about this species. Habitat type selection and behaviours relating to feeding, activity and inactivity were recorded over before and after the herd had had their first calf and shared their enclosure with Przewalski’s wild horse. The data collection was conducted at two different time intervals during the day, using direct observations of a focal animal. Furthermore, the study also includes a preliminary investigation of the interactions that occur between European bison and Przewalski’s wild horse conducted in order to establish an ethogram for future, more rigorous studies of these interactions.
The results of this study, which is small in scope and therefore limited in any general applications or conclusive answers, yield insight into the future study of European bison. Habitat selection is pointed out as an area of special interest, as well as the effect supplementary feed has on their social and grazing behaviours. Their interactions with Przewalski’s wild horses were described and indicated an environment abundant in conflict that may be solved by changes in husbandry. Further studies of this herd are encouraged and may help to unravel more about this mysterious giant of Europe.