Human–Wildlife Conflict: The Human Dimension of European Bison Conservation in the Bieszczady Mountains (Poland)

Abstract

An important limitation for the population growth of European bison in the Bieszczady Mountains may be the level of social acceptance. The study aimed to compare attitudes to European bison of local village inhabitants in Bieszczady and city dwellers in Rzeszów. We also investigated whether damage caused by European bison or other wild species changes peoples’ perceptions of this animal. Our study showed that not only does the growing European bison population cause an increase in negative attitudes among local village communities, but this species also causes more conflict than any other herbivore in the Bieszczady Mountains. Village residents believed that the main threats that arise from European bison were the damage they cause and forest use limitations. The current compensation system for the damage caused by this species does not solve the problem because over 60% of damage is not effectively reported to the state administration. The city dwellers of Rzeszów displayed a different attitude towards the European bison. We concluded that while educational workshops for local villagers may alleviate conflict in the short-term, ultimately it is only by restricting the growth of the European bison population that a long-term effect will be achieved.

Widespread habitat for Europe's largest herbivores, but poor connectivity limits recolonization

“…wildlife bridges or underpasses and guiding structures), speed limits and warning signs in risk‐prone locations, as well as awareness raising among drivers (Borowik et al, 2021; Huijser et al, 2016). Overall, the social acceptance of moose and E. bison—in areas where they return—will determine whether or not coexistence is possible (Klich et al, 2021; Linnell & Kaltenborn, 2019), depending on context‐specific wildlife management, measures to reduce and compensate for damages (Linnell et al, 2020; Neumann et al, 2022) and educational campaigns (Klich et al, 2018).…”

“…Furthermore, where large herbivores return, conflicts with people are likely (e.g. damages to crops and forestry, vehicle collisions) and might reduce the social acceptance toward the species (Klich et al, 2021; König et al, 2020). Understanding where conflicts are more or less likely to occur is thus important for proactive conservation planning and wildlife management.…”

Glucocorticoids of European Bison in Relation to Their Status: Age, Dominance, Social Centrality and Leadership

“…All these results are not only interesting for a better understanding of links between physiological and behavioural mechanisms in animal societies, but also for European bison management itself. Indeed, the species is listed as a threatened species on the IUCN Red List and requires especially high attention in conservation and rewilding proceedings [ 13 , 97 , 98 , 99 ]. Measurement of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites, associated with other parameters and particularly in response to stressors, could thus be a valuable tool to follow and improve the adaptation and the welfare of herds in the semi-wild and in captivity [ 39 ].…”

A Serological Survey of Paratuberculosis in the Polish European Bison (Bison bonasus) Population in 2018–2021

“…The European bison (Bison bonasus) is an endangered species which faces a wide range of population management problems [1,2] as well as environmental and health threats [3][4][5]. More than a quarter of the world's population lives in Poland.…”