visent

The wisent, or European bison, is a large herbivorous mammal native to Europe. It is one of the continent’s most distinctive native mammals and is closely related to the American bison, with which it shares the genus Bison. The species has historically been known by several names, including visent in some languages, and was once treated as a subspecies of the American bison before being recognized as a distinct species, Bison bonasus.

Physically, wisents are robust and powerfully built. Adults can stand about 1.6 to 2.0 meters at the shoulder and weigh roughly 400 to 1,000 kilograms, with males typically larger than females. They have a pronounced shoulder hump, a dense winter coat, and short horns that curve outward and upward. Calves are born brown and grow quickly in their first year.

In terms of behavior, wisents are social animals that typically form herds of females and their offspring, while adult males may roam in bachelor groups or alone. They are primarily grazers, feeding on grasses and herbaceous plants, but will also browse shrubs and tree bark, especially in winter. Breeding occurs in late summer, with a gestation period of about nine to ten months. Most births yield a single calf, though twins occur occasionally.

Historically widespread across Europe, the wisent was driven to near extinction in the early 20th century. Conservation programs, including captive breeding and reintroductions, have helped restore populations. Today, wild groups persist mainly in Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, and Russia, with reintroduced populations in several other European countries. The species is generally listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, reflecting ongoing conservation needs.