Movements of European bison (Bison bonasus) beyond the Białowieża Forest (NE Poland): range expansion or partial migrations?

European bison (Bison bonasus) movements beyond the Białowieża Forest reveal partial seasonal migrations, with males and females exhibiting distinct patterns. While male bison predominantly moved west or southwest, often alone or in small groups, females migrated north, suggesting sex-specific dispersal strategies. The study, analyzing 1,117 observations from 1964 to 2010, found that movements were strongly seasonal, peaking from November to April, and correlated with population size and snow depth. After 1990, males ventured farther (2.2 km) compared to earlier periods (0.9 km), indicating potential range expansion or habitat preference for open areas. This research highlights the dynamic behavior of reintroduced bison populations and their adaptive responses to environmental factors.

Kowalczyk, R., Krasińska, M., Kamiński, T., Górny, M., Struś, P., Hofman-Kamińska, E., & Krasiński, Z. A. (2013). Movements of European bison (Bison bonasus) beyond the Białowieża Forest (NE Poland): range expansion or partial migrations? Acta Theriologica, 58(4), 391–401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-013-0136-y