Stowarzyszenie Miłośników Żubrów

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1 Stowarzyszenie Miłośników Żubrów ul. Ciszewskiego 8 pok. 42, Warszawa tel. (022) bison@smz.waw.pl Warsaw, January 29, EUROPEAN BISON FRIENDS SOCIETY, ACTIVITY REPORT In November 2015 marks the 10th anniversary of the European Bison Friends Society. Since the beginning of its existence, the EBFS tries to continue the mission of the International Society for the Protection of European Bison, established in Paris in 1924 at the initiative of Polish natural scientist Jan Sztolcman. Members of the Society are people of many professions: scientists, foresters, veterinarians, local government activists, students, representatives of the media. This list increases every year. From the beginning, the president of the Society is Professor Wanda Olech-Piasecka. One of the biggest successes of the Society is consolidation of community and gaining interest of still growing number of people in activities concentrated on wisent issue - not only specialists but also many other people. The unquestionable successes of the Society is also organizing of thirteen conferences devoted to broadly understood protection of wisent. Members of the conferences are experts from almost all over Europe. No less important achievement of Society is the establishment of European Bison Advisory Center (2008) - consultancy office for the protection of E. bison, which is now a part of a wider project in Europe - EBCC (European Bison Conservation Center). An important element of the EBFS is education of children, young people and adults. Traditionally, the Society is present in very successful reputed events such as WULS DAYS (Days of Warsaw University of Life Sciences) or WISENT DAY in Lutowiska in Bieszczady. Stands of EBFS are crowded with visitors of all ages who want to learn more about our monumental animal. The Society runs a website and also gives the specialized publications (eg. "Breeding of wisent. Maintain in captivity guide, the newsletter "European Bison Conservation Newsletter") as well as multimedia for children, used during the meetings with the youngest. During this 10 years the Society became involved in the implementation of six important environmental projects, including long-term, funded by the European Union.

2 Members of the EBFS In 2015 the Society acquired 11 new members, by the end of the year EBFS counts 207 members, including 11 supportive members. The Society's activity was carried out in accordance with the objectives of the Statute. Genetic diversity protection program As in previous years the Society actively participated in the genetic diversity protection program and the exchange of animals between breeding centers, including: - In January, a 2.5 years old bull named Pulech was brought from the exhibition enclosure in Muczne to Wola Michowa area (Bieszczady) where were living three bulls. All bulls will join the target free-living herd of 50 wisent. - In early December to site of the former military training ground in Milovice (Czech Republic) came wisent from Kiermusy (Powijak IV and Powijak V), from Niepołomice (Polsana) and from Pszczyna (Podstolina, Podrawa, Potka and Polesna). Wisent were in age from 2 to 7 years; - At the end of December four cows from Bialowieza Forest were brought to adaptive enclosure in Żednia (Knyszyn Forest). In the future four additional individuals will join them. The aim is establishing of new free-living herd in this region of Knyszyn Forest. In March, in Kopna Góra (Knyszyn Forest) there was held a working meeting on the establishment of exhibition enclosure in this region. The proposed enclosure would have an area of approx. 20 ha and there would live 10 individuals of wisent. Preparatory work began and in the near future a tender for the design of the enclosure would be announced. A possible realization of this plan is scheduled for two years. International co-operation with breeders - Between of January the members of the Society Professor Wanda Olech and Zuza Nowak (PhD) took part in the meeting in Belarus. The aim of the meeting was the signing of an agreement on cooperation in science and teaching between the Department of Animal Sciences of Warsaw University of Life Sciences and the Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the State Agrarian University of Grodno. The agreement includes research on livestock as well as continuation of conservation researches on wisent, started many years ago by scientists from the Institute of Zoology of the Belarusian Academy of Sciences in Minsk. - In May in Damerower Werder (Mecklenburg) took place a working meeting of 4 German regional offices of EBCC (European Bison Conservation Center) with invited members of EBFS from Poland: Wanda Olech, Zuza Nowak and Jan Raczynski. During the meeting there were being discussed broad organizational matters,

3 including the funding of wisent breeding, ways of ensuring proper genetic status of the population, as well as its further development. Participants of the meeting discussed also methods of fundraising and preparing long-term plans for the protection of the species. - In June, the leading Swedish breeding center of wisent in Eriksberg (South Coast), within the framework of international cooperation within the EBCC (European Bison Conservation Center) organized the meeting of wisent specialists from Poland, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden. The gain was, of course, exchanging of experiences in the issue of restoring wisent into the wild. In Sweden, for a long time, preparations are underway for the establishment of the first free living herd. Poland was represented by prof. Wanda Olech and prof. Kajetan Perzanowski - In July in Kamieniuki (in the Belarusian part of the Bialowieza Forest) there was a meeting of experts dedicated to preparation of a common project for better protection and improving the living conditions of wisent and spreading wisent in forest areas of both countries. The aims and objectives of project were clarified as well as set tasks for the future. The Polish side was represented by, among others, prof. Wanda Olech, prof. Kajetan Perzanowski, Jerzy Dackiewicz (MS) - members of SMZ. - In November, at the invitation of Mr. Fernando Moran the coordinator of the Spanish office of EBCC, a group of specialists from Poland visited Spanish wisent. Among them were EBFS members: Wanda Olech, Maria Mellin - regional conservator of wildlife in Olsztyn, Jerzy Dackiewicz - head of the European Bison Breeding Center of Bialowieza National Park and Krzysztof Oniszczuk - head of the Department of Ecosystem Protection in Regional Directorate of State Forests in Białystok. A visit in Spain began with a meeting in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment in Madrid. During this meeting, the participants discussed the possibility of changing the formal status of wisent, treated so far by Spanish laws as domestic cattle, and possibilities of their inclusion on the list of animals being restored in Spain - before the ages wisent were living in this part of Europe. After meeting EBFS members visited 20-acre enclosure in San Cebrian de Muda in the Cantabrian mountains. Seven wisent from Bialowieza and Pszczyna were transported to this enclosure in Subsequently visitors from Poland visited enclosure in national park near Plasencia where wisent (from Poland) inhabit diverse area full of typical for this region Pyrenean oak with edible acorns. Finally EBFS members accessed relatively small enclosure next to the Museo de la Fauna Salvaje. In each of the visited places wisent were well cared for, surrounded by proper care and had a beautiful wild enclosures at their disposal - with meadows, hills, forests, shrubs and water. European Bison Conservation Center This year, during the meeting of European Bison Conservation Center, the Board focused mainly on the discussion on the document "THE RULES of EBCC" (principles of EBCC). Development of principles was needed to uniform guidelines of international team members of EBCC, while taking action with regard to representatives of the E. bison species and to improve the flow of information

4 between breeders, representatives of the regional offices of the EBCC, scientists involved in the study of genetic variability within species and editors of European Bison Pedigree Book. Members of the Center established the first version of the rules also in the interests of access to information and develop a common policy with regard to the action undertaken with the wisent breeders non-cooperating with the Centre. In the ever-growing group of E. bison breeders the issue of spreading of good practices and consistent policy of the species protection seems to be the right path. Especially when the people involved in the development of best practices of wisent protection are scientists and practitioners, for years associated with the issue. In addition to discussing issues concerning cooperation within the Centre, during a meeting, Fernando Moran from Regional Office in Spain presented the main objectives of the project focused on obtaining financing from EU funds for EBCC activities. EBCC, as a long-term project of the Society does not have permanent grant, but only specific grants intended for activities and logistics associated with the establishment of new free living herds in Poland and in other European countries. Breeding success The biggest breeding success is the appearance of the offspring. In the reporting year we noted: - In August at the exhibition enclosure of the Institute for Applied Ecology in Sycowice (in the Lubuskie Province) there were born two calves; - In enclosure in Pszczyna there was born a caw. Education In April there was organized the first workshops in the new project About biodiversity for the future how to teach that a roe deer is not a wife of a red deer - as a part of our educational activities. The project is conducted by the European Bison Friends Society together with the Polish Hunting Association. Until the end of the year, workshops have been conducted in Włocławek (April 18 19, the Kuyavian-Pomeranian province), in Rzeszow (October 10 11, the Podkarpacie province), in Kraków (November 13 14, Lesser Poland province), in Olsztyn (November 21 22, the Warmia and Mazury province), in Manowo (November 28 29, West Pomeranian voivodeship), in Gorzow Wielkopolski (December 3 4, the Lubuskie province), in Kielce (December 12 13, Świętokrzyskie province). Members of all workshops were teachers of primary and secondary schools and hunters. All participants received the educational materials (books and multimedia discs) specially developed for the project. The participants highly evaluated the essential level of presentations and the benefits accruing from the workshops participation. Discussions conducted during the workshop were a clear signal that the subject matter of the project is interesting as well as very necessary for teachers to implement and make school program more attractive for kids.

5 Educational materials prepared in the project are also used by people who did not participate in the workshop. Materials ale placed on the project website, from where they can be downloaded free of charge. On August 8 and 9, the European Bison Friends Society, together with the Museum of Hunting and Horsemanship and State Forests Institution participated in a summer event called With the forest in the background localized in the Łazienki Królewskie Park in Warsaw. During these two days there was possibility to visit the museum exhibitions and watch birds and mammals typical for Polish nature. The second day of the event was entirely devoted to our greatest mammal - wisent. Prepared attractions required the big commitment of participants. It was necessary to fill a card with questions and tasks based on the information gained while exploring the exhibitions - of course all tasks were adapted to the age of children who took part in the fun. Children were also coloring books, painting animal tracks and watching shows. Naturally, all participants were awarded with prizes. Despite the prevailing heat event was visited by many families with children. The April workshop in Włocławek caught the attention of local media, including television CWTV24 from Włocławek. In the 20-minute interview prof. Wanda Olech said about the aims of the project and the importance of biodiversity protection. She also gave an interview to the Polish Radio PIK (Radio Pomorza i Kujaw), which broadcasts programs from Bydgoszcz. In an interview for the Polish Press Agency professor Wanda Olech was spiking, among others, about the proper management of herds of E. bison and searching for new places of living for new created herds. In May (22 and 23) the Society took part in the annual event of Warsaw University of Life Sciences, so called Big Spring Time Outing. Two tents of EBFS were located near the main scene and enjoyed great success. Visitors had the great opportunity to learn about the physical construction of wisent, history and conservation of the species. It was possible to see the thumbnail of the transport box, used for transport of wisent. We showed how animals enter and leave the boxes in which they are transported. Among children unchanging interest for our stand was generated by game connected with stamping of footprints of animals in the mass of salt and guessing what animal leaves a trace. No less interest was connected with natural bones of E. bison. Children were eagerly checking how heavy is the femur of an adult wisent, and on the example of two skulls they were learned, among others, what is the difference between horns of female and male. Our visitors were also curious about wisent stories - some of them shared their adventures and impressions from meetings with the king of the forest. Naturally, children and adults asked many questions about the European bison and American bison. The general opinion is believed that the presence of both species in Polish forests is beneficial for wisent or at least neutral. We were explaining why bringing American bison to Poland raises serious concerns among professionals involved in the protection of European bison. We have explained why decades of efforts to restore valuable species that is for us

6 E. bison, would be compromised if A. bison escape from his breeding and crossbred with the wild European bison. Days of SGGW were also used for promotion of the project: About biodiversity for the future how to teach that a roe deer is not a wife of a red deer conducted by EBFS. One could often have a question: isn t it? Many people were surprised to see the title of the project, but the knowledge about native species, even commonly known, is scarce. SMŻ participated in 9 th Days of the European Bison conducted on 8th August in Lutowiska, in Bieszczady Mts. The visitors of a promotional stand could extend their knowledge about our flagship species. This year educational offer was extended with information concerning distinguishing of common species of Corvidae and recognizing red deer, roe deer or fallow deer with matching pairs of these species. 150th anniversary of European Bison breeding in Pszczyna occurred in 2015 year. According to this fact a rich calendar of celebrations was prepared. EBFS actively participated in celebrations. EBFS founded a prize for a 300 th runner in 4 th Pszczyna Race, that took place on 7 th June. The prize was a reproduction of E. bison s photograph made by means of the old oil technique, that was formerly used in the early 19th Century. Janusz Sochacki, a member of the SMŻ, was the author. 20th September SMŻ participated (as a part of 150th anniversary of European Bison breeding in Pszczyna) in photographic exhibition "Ladies and gentlemen, here is the bison.", that took place in the Silesian Botanical Garden in Mikołów. We presented photographs of bisons in captivity and freedom in Poland and Europe. All authors were members of SMŻ. A greater choice of photographs were presented in the album - under the same title - published jointly by SMZ, ŚOB and OHZ in Jankowice. On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of European Bison breeding in Pszczyna a President of the European Bison Friends Society prof. Wanda Olech was honored by Paweł Sadza, the governor, with Wisent of Pszczyna statuette for supporting breeding in Pszczyna. Compliments to the Mrs. President were included in a short sentence: "there would be no such bisons nor such entourage around the E. bisons, if not Professor." Marian Pigan, PhD, Forest Manager of Kobiór Forestry, handed Prof. Olech congratulatory letter for a long-term contribution and commitment to the breeding of E. bison in Pszczyna. In addition, other members of EBFS were awarded. Mieczyslaw Hławiczka, Marian Pigan and Zbigniew Ryś were awarded with the highest forest honor the cutlass of forester. Moreover, Mieczyslaw Hławiczka received from Mayor of Pszczyna a honorable mention - Bench with Princess Daisy - for his contribution to the Pszczyna wisents. International scientific conference EBFS organized, in cooperation with State Forests, the 13th International Conference "Wisents in the forests of Pszczyna year of breeding", which was held on September in the stylish hall of Ducal Stable in Castle Museum of Pszczyna. The conference brought together 130 participants from Poland, Belarus, Czech Republic, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Russia, Sweden and Switzerland.

7 Visitors from abroad consisted 25% of all present on sessions in Pszczyna. During the first day, there were three sessions of contributions: I - concerning wisents in Pszczyna (chaired by Professor Kajetan Perzanowski) II - protection of wisent in situ (Professor Malgorzata Krasińska) and III - ex situ conservation (Professor Wanda Olech). 20 presentations were delivered, each of them attracted considerable interest, which was reflected by the discussions both in the room and in the corridors. The second day of the Conference started traditionally with visiting the wisents. Visited were an Ecological Education Centre in Jankowice and demonstration enclosure of E. bison in Pszczyna, where the special attraction was the oldest surviving bison in Poland 17-year old Plawiant. After a field session the Conference were carried on in the Stables of the Museum, as on the previous day. The first session, concerning a health-care of wisent was chaired by Professor Krzysztof Anusz, and the second, thematically varied by Professor Ryszard Słomski. A documentary movie from the center Hardehausen in Germany entitled "Wisent Cowboys" was projected. During both days of the conference 21 posters enjoying the constant interest were presented in the lobby next to the meeting room. The participants of this annual meeting of the bison specialists, many of whom come continuously for many years, the conference "Wisents in the forests of Pszczyna year of breeding" had very high level and made the possibility for a direct exchange of experience, which could not be replaced by even the most vital correspondence. As in previous years statuettes Bison Friend were awarded during the conference. This year awarded were: Fernando Morán from Spain, who was involved in bringing first bisons to this country, after centuries of absence; dr. Wojciech Bielecki from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, SGGW, dealing for many years with the health of our largest mammals; Bison Breeding and Forest Education Centre in Jankowice and Bison Enclosure of Agency for Development and Promotion for the Pszczyna. Presentation delivered in both days of the conference were translated simultaneously by a team of excellent translators, appreciated by participants. The conference materials contained an eighth issue of bilingual bulletin "Bison and its protection" (European Bison Conservation Newsletter) containing scientific papers and papers presented during the conference. Conservation of wisent in Poland There was no lack of difficult issues and topics during previous reporting year. In February, the Ministry of the Environment held a meeting of a wide range of people involved in the bison and their protection (representatives of various institutions, research institutions, organizations, forest districts) with Dr. Piotr Otawski (Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Environment, the main nature conservator). EBFS was represented by the president, Professor Wanda Olech, vice president Professor Kajetan Perzanowski and Professor Wojciech Bielecki, a veterinarian who is specialized in the medical care of the bison. Participants of the meeting discussed the current situation of European bison in Poland, paying attention to the inconsistent system of managing of wisent population in our country. It was emphasized that this state of affairs hinders the rational development of

8 wisent breeding. They pointed at the financial ills, as well as the long term of administrative procedures what inhibits urgent and important decisions making. Much space during discussion was devoted to epizootic issues, especially tuberculosis, which is sporadic but still present in Poland, and the situation is carefully monitored. Unfortunately, this meeting at the Ministry of the Environment - long-awaited by experts, disappointed arrivals. Professor Perzanowski prepared multithreaded presentation concerning main activities and projects regarding the wisent individuals living in our country and outside its borders. Unfortunately, he was unable to present whole presentation. Without this basic information, further discussions took place in a chaotic manner, and a number of arguments presented by the people for years dealing with the wisent, did not met with understanding of representatives of the Ministry. Scientists and foresters present at the meeting had the impression that the minister wants to adjust life to the law but he is not interested in making wisent protection easier by adjusting law regulations to live. The representatives of the administration (changing cyclically) were not able to trust in experts and practitioners. Saddening, when work and extensive experience in the care of wisent (often more than 30 years) of scientists and foresters, as life shows, successful on a worldwide scale, is too little for the ministry. At the end of the meeting, visitors filed on the hands of Piotr Otawski (PhD) a petition addressed to the Minister of the Environment Maciej Grabowski, containing proposals for the introduction of uniform rules for the protection and management of the population of European bison in Poland. Another very shocking thing during last year was the media campaign connected with the American bison breeding centrum in Kurozwęki. This type problem comes back to Poland like a boomerang. This time, it was highly publicized - mainly by "The case for the reporter" a Polish television program, leaded by Mrs. Elżbieta Jaworowicz. The program was recorded in July, broadcasted in August. The profile of guests invited for realization of program aroused a lot of reservations. Among the invited guests were Mr. Jerzy Popiel (American bison breeder), a representatives of the General Directorate for Environmental Protection, the president of EBFS, European bison breeding specialist and surprisingly - also artists and politicians unrelated with the matter: Małgorzata Gosiewska, Krzysztof Zanussi, Krzysztof Daukszewicz and Paweł Kukiz. Elżbieta Jaworowicz (as well as politicians and artists invited by her) did not comment any substantive statements, scientific documentation or objective facts regarding issue of environment protection. Instead, they emphasized contribution of Popiel family to the development of the region. In the case of Mr. Popiel there is the possibility of replacing American bison by European bison or cattle. In opinion of representatives of the General Directorate for Environmental Protection such solutions could help Mr. Popiel s family in continuation of its operating in the market of tourist and services. A reporter submitted her opposition for prohibition of A. bison breeding in Poland. In her opinion decision presented by representatives of the General Directorate for Environmental Protection regarding A. bison breeding in Poland were soulless and do not serve the for social good. In the TV program there was a lack of discussion about the presence of alien species in Polish nature, despite jurisdictions existing in

9 this matter in Poland. Unfortunately, many wrong statements occurred during the program: A. bison is associated with Polishness, because agricultural machinery with the same name were produced in Poland in the past., Nature protection regulated by the law is the whim of officials., The role of public officials in relation to the society should be subservient. Anyone can grow what he wants: A. bison or tigers, or snails." On our opinion TV program about the protection of wisent and prohibition of A. bison breeding in Poland was an opportunity for a broad education, especially since this TV program has got a large audience. Unfortunately this opportunity has been wasted. Administration In July, Michał Kiełsznia the General Director of Environmental Protection issued a decision under which the European Bison Friends Society was admitted as a party to participate in administrative proceedings for the authorization for the implementation of certain prohibited activities in relation to the European bison (Bison bonasus). Fundrising One of the important tasks of the Society is raising funds for wisent protection. This year we received donations from: PEKAO S.A. Bank, Forest Inspectorate Borki, Polish Hunting Association. We are constantly supported by Warsaw University of Life Sciences. We are very grateful to all our sponsors and active members of the Society! Board of EBFS