The completed winter census of European bison in the Polish part of the Białowieża Forest has yielded a record result. Scientists and foresters counted nearly 1,200 individuals living in the wild. This number is the highest in the history of monitoring and confirms the effectiveness of long-term protection for this species.
Record census result
During this year's count in the Polish part of the Białowieża Forest, the presence of 1176 European bison living in the wild was confirmed.
Significant population growth
Compared to last year's result (about 870 individuals), there has been a clear increase in herd size.
Largest free-living population
The Białowieża population is the largest free-living population of European bison in the world, highlighting its importance for species conservation.
Effective species protection
The record result is proof of the success of long-term, comprehensive conservation efforts for the European bison.
The winter census of European bison in the Polish part of the Białowieża Forest has concluded with a record result. Scientists and foresters counted 1176 — bison living in the wild. This number, confirmed by Białowieża National Park, is the highest in the history of monitoring. It represents a significant increase compared to last year's result, which was about 870 individuals. At that time, part of the herd moved outside the areas covered by the count, which may have influenced the lower reading. This year's record underscores the positive growth trend and population stability. The European bison (Bison bonasus) was almost completely exterminated in the wild at the beginning of the last century. The last free-living individual in the Białowieża Forest died in 1919. The restoration of the species began with individuals bred in captivity, and the first bison were released into the wild in the Forest in 1952. Since then, the species has been under strict protection and regular monitoring. Winter counts, coordinated by Białowieża National Park, are a key method for assessing the population's status. They involve observing animals at feeding stations and analyzing the tracks they leave in the snow. European bison population in the Białowieża Forest (Polish part): 2024: 870, 2025: 1176 The Białowieża population is the largest free-living bison population in the world, giving it particular importance in global efforts to protect this species. This success is the result of cooperation between scientists, foresters, naturalists, and effective funding of protection programs. The steady population growth, while positive, also presents new challenges for managers. Larger herds require more space and food, which can lead to increased pressure on the forest ecosystem and more frequent conflicts with human activity, especially on the outskirts of the forest complex. Nevertheless, the record census result is a strong argument for continuing the current protection methods.