Lessons from Białowieża Forest on the history of protection and the world's first reintroduction of a large carnivore

Białowieża Forest's brown bear (Ursus arctos) reintroduction in 1937 marked the world's first large carnivore reintroduction driven by conservation goals, offering critical lessons for modern wildlife conservation. The study reveals that bears were once revered and protected as noble game until the 18th century, but persecution due to hunting and bounties led to their extirpation in 1879. The reintroduction project demonstrated success with soft release of cubs born in captivity, achieving wild reproduction for eight years and bear presence for 13. However, challenges included the release of human-habituated bears, reliance on feeding, and lack of local community involvement. This historical analysis underscores the importance of integrating scientific game management, humane treatment, and community engagement to ensure the long-term survival of large carnivores in ecosystems.

Samojlik, T., Selva, N., Daszkiewicz, P., Fedotova, A., Wajrak, A., & Kuijper, D. P. J. (2018). Lessons from Białowieża Forest on the history of protection and the world’s first reintroduction of a large carnivore. Conservation Biology, 32(4), 808–816. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13088