Russia bullish on bison preservation

Project aims to protect European bison, largest mammal in continent, after decades of decline.

European wood bison wissent

Hunting and destruction of forests have eliminated all of Russia’s wild herds of the European bison, leaving only a few surviving animals in captivity.

With so few bison left, their gene pool has been weakened through inbreeding and the species is vulnerable to disease.

At breeding farms, like the Priokso-Terrasny Reserve south of Moscow, families are offered a rare chance to enjoy the ancient species.

Al Jazeera’s Robin Forestier-Walker reports from the Priokso-Terrasny Reserve, Russia.

Source: Al Jazeera