Caucasian bison are being reintroduced into the nature of Azerbaijan.
Within the framework of the “Reintroduction of European bison to Azerbaijan” program, jointly implemented by the IDEA Public Union, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, and the Azerbaijan branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), a ceremony was held on May 21 to release the bison brought to the country into a specially created area in the Ismayilli section of Shahdag National Park.
The event was attended by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of the IDEA Public Union, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev, and other guests.
Eight European bison, a species of wild ox that had previously become extinct in our country, were brought to Azerbaijan on May 16 from zoos in France and Belgium. A special area has been created for them in the Ismayilli section of Shahdag National Park. After spending some time in this area for adaptation, the animals will be released into Shahdag National Park. It is also planned to bring an additional 12 bison to the area this year.
Local residents and schoolchildren showed special interest in the bison by participating in the event, learning about the efforts to restore endangered species, and demonstrating their support. At the same time, lectures were organized for local young nature enthusiasts participating in the event on the history of bison in Azerbaijan, their role in nature, and their conservation.
Although bison once had a wide range in Eurasia, their population in the wild was almost entirely wiped out in the early 20th century. The last bison in the Caucasus Mountains was killed in 1927. Today, the vast majority of existing bison are bred in zoos, and efforts aimed at restoring the species continue in this way. Wild oxen are strong, large animals and have long been regarded by humans as symbols of strength.
The IDEA Public Union, together with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and WWF Azerbaijan, carries out successful projects in Azerbaijan aimed at restoring populations of rare species such as the Caucasian leopard, gazelle, and bison.
Considering the potential role of bison in further enriching Azerbaijan’s biodiversity and the development of forest ecosystems, the organizers of the project call on the population living in the northern regions of the country and the general public to support the return of Caucasian bison to nature, their protection, and the prevention of illegal hunting.
