Napoleon, Białowieża Forest and the Last Bison from Transylvania

By the end of the 18th century, the European bison's range had been reduced to a single location: Białowieża Forest. This study highlights the historical significance of the forest as the last known habitat for free-living bison herds in Europe, challenging earlier beliefs that dismissed their existence beyond the Caucasus and Romania. The research delves into the fascination of 19th-century naturalists with the species, driven partly by scientific excursions to Białowieża Forest, then part of the Russian Empire. It also notes the competitive nature of museum collections during this period, where possessing bison exhibits—whether skeletons or furs—was a mark of prestige. The study draws on archaeological data and historical accounts to reconstruct the bison's declining range and its cultural importance.

Daszkiewicz, P., & Samojlik, T. (2018). Napoleon, Białowieża Forest and the Last Bison from Transylvania. Echa Przeszłości, (XV). https://doi.org/10.31648/ep.2506