Stowarzyszenie Miłośników Żubrów

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1 Stowarzyszenie Miłośników Żubrów ul. Ciszewskiego 8 pok. 42, Warszawa tel. (022) bison@smz.waw.pl Warsaw, Januray 29, EUROPEAN BISON FRIENDS SOCIETY, ACTIVITY REPORT In 2014, three-year term in office of the European Bison Friends Society board came to the end. According to the Statute of the Society, the General Assembly was convened and took place on September 3, on the eve of XII international conference Wisent in Mirosławiec Bioregion. The meeting was hosted by Prof. Wojciech Bielecki. President of the Society, Prof. Wanda Olech presented main achievements of the Society over this period. In short, this activity was participation in several major projects aimed to improve the living conditions of wisent and develop their population, organizing annual conferences, comprehensive educational activities, publishing, organizing and coordinating wisent transports between breeding centers in Poland and between other European countries. DVM Mieczysław Hławiczka presented report of the Audit Committee of EBFS. Both reports on the activities of the Board were accepted by acclamation. As a result of a number of votes the new Board and Audit Committee were elected. Prof. Wanda Olech was re-elected as the President. She holds this position since the Society was founded. The new Board is composed, as usually of five members Krystyna Cielniak from the Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding WULS, Jerzy Dackiewicz Forest Inspector of Białowieża National Park, Head of the Wisent Breeding Centre, Prof. Kajetan Perzanowski from the Carpathian Wildfire Research Station at Ustrzyki Dolne and Piotr Tetla retired Forest Inspector of Forest Inspectorate Kobiór, that takes care of the oldest European Wisent Breeding Centre in Pszczyna. EBFS General Assembly decided to award the title of the honorary membership of the Society to four members DVM Mieczysław Hławiczka, veterinary doctor from Pszczyna for many years taking care of the Wisent; Prof. Jerzy Kita from WULS, specialized, among others, in wisent diseases; Prof. Małgorzata Krasińska the

2 whole scientific life associated with the Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences in Białowieża and DVM Zbigniew A. Krasiński a retired employee of the Białowieża National Park. In 2014 the Society acquired 20 new members, by the end of the year EBFS counts 210 members, including 13 supportive members. The Association's activity was carried out in accordance with the objectives of the Statute. As in previous years the Society actively participated in the implementation of the variability protection program and the exchange of animals between breeding centers, including: - On March 27, 4 young wisents arrived from Gołuchów to a new demonstrational enclosure in Jabłonowo, West Pomerania Province; biennial cows Polesia i Polonka and two bulls three-year-old Polasek and one-year-old Popłoch. Two days later joined them two females from Pszczyna, four-year-old Potynka and three-year-old Pordawka as well as two one-year-old bulls Pomelo II i Platan II. The males were released into the wild. In the enclosure remained four females and a calf born in Jabłonowo a total of 5 wisents. - On May 20 to the enclosure Libeň in Nové Strašeci, Czech Republic four polish wisents were released: 3 cows Polena, Poranna III i Poldawska, all born in They came from breeding centre in Niepołomice. The fourth individual was a bull five-year-old Pokrop from Pszczyna. Before relocation all the animals were thoroughly tested and given European health certificates. There were no complications during the transport. Wisents soon accepted their new home. The Libeň enclosure has an area of 113 hectares, mostly it s a forest area, but you can also find there water reservoirs and meadows. - In November to the acclimation enclosure in Wola Michowa (Forest District Komańcza) three young cows from the Swedish breeding centre Eriksberk were brought. Entre, Energi and Endora were all born in After a month-long quarantine they have been released into the wild to enrich the gene pool of free population of wisent in Bieszczady, of approx. 270 individuals. Cows have microchips implanted and have been equipped with telemetry collars. - In December to the enclosure in Wola Michowa two-year old bull Pukom was transported. He came from the demonstrational enclosure in Muczne - Forest District Stuposiany, that organized the transportation. The bull will join previously transferred Swedish cows. Within the co-operation with international breeders - In January European Bison Friends Society has signed a cooperation agreement with the Czech nature conservation organization Česka Krajina. The cooperation will be based on helping our Southern neighbors in the implementation of the wisent

3 reintroduction program. There was selected an area of polygon where in the future a free living herd has to live. EBFS has committed to select individuals that will initiate the breeding group, to serve broad expert advice on the reintroduction, breeding, veterinary care, and also to provide all types of pedigree analysis on wisent and educational materials. Česka Krajina has committed to implement the Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan for wisent, to cooperate with EBFS and provide educational activities for the protection of wisent. New free-living herd is expected to start from 5 individuals. - On February 14, Prof. Wanda Olech and P.hD. Zuza Nowak took part in the meeting of wisent breeders of southern Germany, region, which is under supervision of the regional Office EBCC Donaumoos. The meeting was also attended by breeders from Austria and Switzerland. They talked about the current situation of wisent and breeding centers organization, but the main topic was genetic monitoring and sampling for analysis. Professor Wanda Olech, co-host of the meeting, presented responsibilities of EBCC, and P.hD. Zuza Nowak gave a lecture on the current results of genetic testing conducted by the Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding of WULS (also samples from Germany go here) and their importance for the development and strengthening of wisent population. Among the speakers was also P.hD. Joachim Menzel, who conducts large-scale project of DNA tests of German wisents. - On September 15 President of the EBFS, Prof. Wanda Olech met with representatives of Rewilding Europe - Frans Schepers and Wouter Helmer. The organization aims to create in Europe Places of Interest of wildfire reintroduction, where tourists could meet formerly commonly found species, today remaining mostly in reserves and demonstrational enclosures. One of the objects of interest of Rewilding Europe is participation in the protection of European bison population, support of the maintenance of genetic variability of the species and establishment of new areas for free-living populations in Europe. Representatives of RE submitted to EBFS a proposal of cooperation appreciating previous efforts, which the Board and members of the Society put in restitution and maintenance of the species. They declare their willingness to use the knowledge and experience of researchers and animal keepers, and count on help of breeders and veterinarians associated in EBFS. During the meeting, they signed a preliminary agreement expressing willingness to cooperate from both sides. Detailed conditions and the division of responsibilities between the two organizations will be established in the implementation of specific projects, the financing of which shall be undertaken efforts on both sides. The biggest breeding success is the appearance of the offspring. In the reporting year we noted: - In April new calves appeared in herds in Western Pomerania, including the enclosure in Jabłonowo - In the demonstrational enclosure in Wolisko (Borecka Forest) a female calf was born

4 - In the European bison Show Reserve in Białowieża two calves were born - On May 9 in Wolin National Park a female calf came to the world - In the Wisent enclosure in Pszczyna the oldest female wisent 18-year-old Plista gave birth to a healthy bull During the annual meeting of the European Bison Conservation Center EBCC, very important question was raised standardization of best practices within the management of bison populations under the care of EBCC regional offices in various European countries. Attention was paid to the need to develop rules for all members of EBCC representing both regional offices, as well as general office, in relation to the information flow concerning on pedigree, breeding, transport and health care. There was a discussion on the principles of cooperation with people interested in opening new breeding centers and certification of already existing centers. The need to collect in each region information on available pool of animals intended for farming was highlighted, as well as close cooperation with European bison Pedigree Book in this area. Also it was continued the discussion on raised by employees of Mammal Research Institute of Polish Academy of Sciences in Białowieża issue of unclear affiliation of wisents from Belarusian part of the Białowieża Forest to one of two genetic lines. This topic was also touched during this year s EBCC meeting, in reference to the speech of the author of molecular research at the genetic session. During the meeting, EBCC decided not to take any actions that could change the status of the Belarusian wisent population until an access to the publication of the full result of these studies, as well as reference studies will be carried out. At the end of June, Prof. Wanda Olech, the President of EBFS, accompanied by her team, visited enclosure in Sycowice, built two years ago with the participation and financial support of EBFS in the framework of the project Ex situ conservation of European Bison in Poland. The aim of the visit was to assess the condition of animals and appearance of the enclosure. Institute for Applied Ecology in Skórzyn is responsible and takes care of the herd. After visual inspection it was found that animals are healthy and in good condition. The large area of the enclosure, 22 acres, as well as varied landform allow wisents find enough food, that they only occasionally use the feed supplied by keepers. At the beginning they did this every day, over time they became more independent and shun people as it was intended. During the visit, Prof. Olech, along with the management of the Institute planned that in the summer time WULS students will do traineeships and in the spring of next year the Wisent Section of the students Scientific Club will make in Sycowice the study session. Of the available research results of IAE will also benefit Ph.D. students. It was proposed to introduce the educational offer on wisent for the visitors, especially for school groups that show great interest in this issue. Despite the lapse of time the number of individuals in the enclosure hasn t changed. It seems that

5 the bull Plarip doesn t meet up to the expectations. So if the situation didn t change, possibly Plarip would be replaced by another, carefully selected bull, probably also from Pszczyna. In March, at the meeting of the Regional Council for the Protection of Nature in Białystok, Prof. Wanda Olech presented plans for possible introduction of wisent to Augustów Forest, where there are good conditions for the existence of a small herd. Initially it would be approx. 10 individuals, and eventually, after a few years, not more than Scientific analysis shows that southern areas of the Forest are best suited for this purpose in Forest Districts Augustów and Płaska animals would have an area of nearly 30,000 ha. Herd should be constantly monitored particularly with regard to distraction, health and abundance. Wisent introduction to Augustów Forest would help in the dispersion of existing in north-eastern Poland population and improve its safety. Especially since it has been observed that wisents in Augustów Forest spontaneously start to appear, coming probably from Borecka Forest. During the meeting in Białystok a lot of attention was paid to the preparation of local communities to the presence of wisents, which tent to be in some regions a source of conflict, because without the consent of residents the project can not be and will not be - completed. In the years it is planned to improve habitat conditions and to organize meetings in the Augustów Forest, introduction of wisent itself is planned for a later date. Funds for the project in the coming years would come from, so-called, Norwegian Funds. As a part of the educational activities, in January it was released an educational booklet about wisent, designed for children of all ages. It was one of the last tasks completed within the promotion of the project Ex situ conservation of European bison in Poland. The publication was prepared by Warsaw University of Life Sciences project coordinator. This position already found its way to the beneficiaries, which are the Forest Inspectorate Kobiór, Wisent Breeding Centre in Niepołomice, Forest Culture Centre in Gołuchów and the European Bison Friends Society. In the booklet there are numerous interesting facts about wisents life and protection, but also some information about other animals. You can find there as well puzzles, coloring books and crosswords which gives hope that every child will find something interesting. On August 7 and 8, in the summer Scout Camp in Piecnik (Western Pomerania) Magda Trzeciak and Karolina Zdunek from the European Bison Friends Society, led workshops on European bison, biodiversity and laws of nature. The trip to the Scouts Camp in Piecnik was related to the implementation of the new educational project About biodiversity for the future how to teach that a roe deer is not a wife of a red deer. Talks were combined with a visit to the recently opened demonstrational enclosure named Wild Farm in nearby Jabłonowo. The activities involved children and adolescents (from 6 to 16 years) who showed great interest in the subject. Scouts remembered a lot of theoretical classes, held the day before the visit in the enclosure. Kids asked a lot of curious questions when they

6 stood eye to eye with the residents of the Wild Farm. Scouts returned the favor to the lecturers, including them in a creative and educationally inspiring rhythm of their camp and giving them stylish diplomas of thanks. As a result of this meeting there was an exchange of experiences and establishment of interesting ideas in the field of environmental education of children and youth, which will have a positive impact on further action both scouts and EBFS. All testified to the fact that conducted workshops, supported by further interesting information materials are very expected - and needed. In January European Bison Friends Society was selected in the tender procedure to conduct genetic, parasitological and health monitoring as a continuation of the project In situ conservation of the European bison in Poland Southern part. The project is run by the regional Directorate of State Forests in Krosno. The agreement was valid for the entire On April 1 was the first meeting of the Wisent Section of the Department of Animal Sciences WULS Scientific Club. It was devoted to the protection of wisent in situ and ex situ, that is, both in free-living herds, as well as bred in captivity. Wisent Section was developed in cooperation with zoologists from Scientific Club and the European Bison Friends Society. The room, where it was talked about projects dedicated to the protection and development of the wisent population in Poland, was fully filled by students. Presentations were submitted by members of EBFS P.hD. Magdalena Łopieńska and Ph.D. students Maria Sobczuk and Barbara Bidzińska. Prof. Wanda Olech said about interesting perspectives for young scientists, including international exchanges. She highlighted the diversity of activities relating to the protection of European bison and study on the genre, having often unique character. During the meeting it was shown a movie about efforts of our southern neighbors, so that also in Czech Republic wisent appeared in free-living herds. On the ninth of April in the station TVP Warszawa Prof. Wanda Olecha was a guest of the series Porozmawiajmy o. The interview was conducted by famous science journalist ed. Krzysztof Michalski, and the theme was of course wisent their protection, life, projects to support their development as well as scientific research. In April European Bison Friends Society found themselves on the ranking list published by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management and received money under the EEA Financial Mechanism commonly called the Norwegian funds, for implementation of the project About biodiversity for the future how to teach that a roe deer is not a wife of a red deer. The project will run for two years until April 2016, together with the Polish Hunting Association. It is an educational project, its objective is to improve public awareness of biodiversity - in relation to climate change and the economic value of ecosystems. Implementation of the assumptions will be based on the development of workshop materials for educators working with children from primary schools, junior and senior high schools. After developing materials the second phase will begin, ie. organization of a nationwide series of workshops for teachers, members of Polish Hunting Association and representatives of NGOs involved in environmental

7 education. Under the project there will be created educational multimedia CDs and two guidebooks teaching aids to provide classes and after school activities (including field lessons and excursions). There will be organized two briefings (beginning and summarizing the entire project). The project About biodiversity for the future how to teach that a roe deer is not a wife of a red deer will also be promoted at conferences and mass events on nature, such as annual International Scientific Conference organized by EBFS, WULS Days, Wisent Day in Lutowiska e.t.c. At the headquarters of the Polish Hunting Association in Warsaw on September 10 was held a seminar, on which assumptions of the new project were presented. The participants of the meeting were members of EBFS and PHA as well as representatives of the Warsaw Agricultural University, the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, the Warsaw Zoo, the Education Office in Warsaw, the General Directorate of State Forests and Urban Forests in Warsaw. It was announced the organization of workshops in all polish provinces. During the seminar speakers presented issues regarding endangered species and their classification according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature); projects and strategies for the protection of animals in Poland, noting that many of them - designed by the best specialists - still can not wait for implementation. The problem of biodiversity was discussed in a broad context: natural, economical and social. One of the speakers also mentioned a Decade of Biodiversity declared by the United Nations. A representative of Polish Hunting Association discussed the role of the organization in nature conservation, which involves among others, managing populations of wildfire in our country, and therefore also care for the stability and development, protective measures and breeding, as well as education provided at many levels. At the end, the role of biology teacher in junior high school was highlighted. In practice, the teacher has too little time to achieve the objectives included in the program assumptions concerning biodiversity. This follows from the small number of hours, making it impossible to familiarize children with the Polish nature. Usually the key role plays personal commitment of teachers who dedicate their time and seek for interesting solutions to encourage their pupils to explore the nature. In summary, the new project of EBFS gets extremely accurately in social needs, which clearly confirmed the representative of The Education Office in Warsaw, taking part in the discussion. During the coffee break the organizers met the Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of State Treasury Urszula Pasławska, and the President of Polish Hunting Association Lech Bloch. It was recalled that the project About biodiversity for the future how to teach that a roe deer is not a wife of a red deer uses the subsidy in the amount of zł coming from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway under the EEA funds. On April 26, European Bison Friends Society had a promotional stand at the XI International Fair Hubertus Expo 2014 in Warsaw. On May 6 the Open Day at the Department of Animal Sciences was held to celebrate 10 th anniversary of Polish accession to the European Union. The slogan promoting this celebration included wisent, as from the sources of European Regional

8 Development Fund under the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment and the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, large and successful projects related to the protection and development of wisent population were financed. The coordinator and the lead beneficiary of projects Ex situ conservation of European Bison in Poland and In situ conservation of the European bison in Poland North-Eastern part was the Department of Animal Sciences. Open Day participants could learn all about wisent and various activities for its protection. The faculty staff prepared, among others, educational workshops for children from primary and secondary schools (tailored to participants age), screening of movies about European bison, lectures and exhibition gallery. The European Bison Friends Society invited to the interactive stand. Two photo exhibits were organized outside and inside the building of the Department of Animal Sciences WULS building, and the stand of EBFS was full of folders and brochures on wisent conservation programs conducted in our country. Also for the Open Day of European Funds under the slogan Wisent-European Union, lectures, demonstrations and workshops were prepared. Most popular were activities organized for children and youth of all ages children participated in the presentation, watched slides, as well as authentic fragments of the skeleton of the largest European mammal, and could see how animals are transported. The annual celebration of WULS, so-called Great May-picnic on May 23-24, also this time was attended by the European Bison Friends Society. The Society set up two tents which attracted wide audience. As in previous years, most of attractions were prepared for children, but also adults had the opportunity to learn something interesting. Constant success was stamping of animal footprints in the salt dough and guessing which animal leaves the trail. Also wisent bones aroused the interest of visitors they asked many questions about European bison. In Poland more and more current topic is American bison. The general opinion is, it turns out, that the presence of both species close to each other is regarded as beneficial for European bison. So we explained why bringing American bison to Poland raises serious concerns of professionals involved in the protection of our native wisent. We justified why decades of efforts to restore the species, that is so valuable for us, would be compromised if American bison escaped from his enclosure and crossbred with freeliving wisent. The event showed once again that the knowledge of the Forest Emperor the largest animal in Europe, is unfortunately not the best, but it s never too late to improve this situation. European Bison Friends Society took part in the celebrations of VIII Wisent Day in Lutowiska in the Bieszczady Mountains, which took place on August 9. Traditionally EBFS set up a promotional tent-stand with wisent-related gadgets, offering children and adults a variety of attractions. First and foremost was the opportunity to expand their knowledge of our pride species. One of the most important parts of the Wisent Day was the handing of the Bieszczady Wisent statuettes awarded by the Jury of the Bieszczady Nature Friends to people of greatest merits for the protection of these wonderful animals. Also this

9 year (as in the previous year), the Society decided to re-nominate a candidate for this award, DVM Wojciech Bielecki from WULS EBFS member a veterinarian, wisent care specialist, consultant of wisent health care projects. The statuette of the Bieszczady Wisent in 2014 received DVM Józef Amarowicz, county veterinarian in Lesko, a longtime guardian of the Bieszczady wisent. The second winner of the award, granted for achievements in protection of the wisent, was Forest Inspectorate Lesopolnohospodarski Majetok in Ulič, Statny Podnik, Slovakia, leading free living herd of these animals. However, DVM Wojciech Bielecki received a diploma. The Society, in cooperation with State Forests, organized XII international conference Wisent in Mirosławiec Bioregion, which took place in Wałcz on 4-5 September. Bioregion of Mirosławiec is a very favorable place for wisent. Both the authority and residents are proud of their presence. The Mayor of Mirosławiec, Piotr Pawlik, always emphasizes: We are very pleased that here, in West Pomerania, live wisent in the wild, and wonderful demonstrational enclosure founded in Jabłonowo already attracts a lot of people. We want wisent to be the brand in our region, that we were recognizable thanks to the European bison. In last three years it has become, next to the coat of arms, a second recognizable symbol, and we appreciate it very much. More than 130 specialists from 11 countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Russia, Serbia and Sweden came to Wałcz to share their experiences, observations and research results. 45 papers were presented as well as several short and longer speeches. Subjects of the conference were, as always, very diversified, dominated by papers and reports related to veterinary medicine. Lectures aroused great interest, analyzing individual cases, identification of pathogens, searching for the causes of this or that disease is needed in the development of both free-living herds as well as breeding centers. Domination of topics related to veterinary medicine doesn t mean that wisents get sick more than in the past, or that their condition deteriorates. Simply the diagnostics improves, veterinarians and scientists have more and better research techniques. This allows, among others, to conduct preventive actions in health emergencies of wisent or taking treatment, if possible. There were also discussed more and more sophisticated genetic studies that are being conducted at WULS in the Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding. Also papers on the movement of wisent in different areas were very interesting with telemetry we can find out which routes they wander, what kind of habitats prefer, how bulls and cows behave, for example after release from enclosures into the wild. Foreign guests talked about breeding centers of their countries - interest in creating new herds of wisent and population development in Europe continues to grow. At the September conference Wisent in Mirosławiec Bioregion people particularly meritorious in the activity for wisent were honored with bronze statues of Wisent Friend. Statuettes and the honorary titles of Wisent Friend were given to:

10 - The forester Fred Zentner, head of the German Damerower Werder Wisent Reserve. It s a very well run and still growing breeding centre of great importance for the European population of wisent, during nearly 60 years already 300 calves came into the world there. - Sylwia Jurzyk-Nordlöw Regional Conservator of Nature in Szczecin - Piotr Świderski Voit of Wałcz commune, - Piotr Pawlik - Mayor of the city and municipality Mirosławiec, - Magda i Maciej Tracz from West Pomeranian Society of Nature As Prof. Wanda Olech, host of the celebration, emphasized, all the laureates are characterized by an unique approach to nature protection issues, combined with the knowledge and professionalism. She also cordially thanked for their help and cooperation. Closing the conference, Professor Wanda Olech thanked the hosts, participants and all those, who helped to organize the conference. She addressed warm words of appreciation to translators, very well and hard working for the whole time. She also asked to submit constructive proposals that could improve, streamline and diversify course of annual meetings in the future. Weather during the conference was wonderful, which made it possible to appreciate the charm of the new demonstrational enclosure in Jabłonowo. And after the conference, a group of volunteers took a ferry boat in Świnoujście on their way to German Wisentgehege Insel Usedom in Prätenow. As in previous years EBFS released another, seventh already, Volume of bilingual newsletter Wisent and its protection (European Bison conservation Newsletter), containing scientific papers presented during the conference. The participants were very pleased with the substantive and organizational aspects of the conference. A nice touch was unexpected speech of one participant from Minsk, which warmly and emotionally expressed her thanks to Professor Wanda Olech for the opportunity for Belarusian delegation to take part in the conference in Wałcz, very high level of the meeting and benefits that each participant could reach. The conference was financially supported by the State Forests Information Centre, Municipal Office in Wałcz and the President of Mirosławiec, for which we are very grateful. In September, Białowieża National Park celebrated two important events: the 85 th anniversary of wisent restitution in the Białowieża Forest and the 35 th anniversary of the presence of the Białowieża National Park on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. On this occasion, President of the European Bison Friends Society sent a letter of congratulations to the Director of the Białowieża National Park Ph.D. Mirosław Stepaniuk.

11 One of the important tasks of the Society is raising funds for wisent protection. This year we received donations from: PEKAO S.A. Bank, Forest Inspectorate Borki, Polish Hunting Association. We are constantly supported by Warsaw University of Life Sciences. We are very grateful to all our sponsors and active members of the Society! Board of EBFS