Animal park takes part in bison research
Bison have been kept at Chemnitz Zoo and the Oberrabenstein Wildlife Park for almost 30 years, and the breeding of this European wild cattle species has a long tradition here.
The species was already extinct in Europe, the last wild populations died out in the Caucasus in the 1920s. Today's population can only be traced back to the keeping and breeding of only twelve so-called founder animals in captivity.
There are now around 4,500 animals across Europe, around 3,000 of which have been reintroduced into the wild in semi-reserves or in the wild in Eastern Europe. Around 1,500 animals live in zoos and wildlife parks, of which around 530 are in Germany (source: Förderverein Wisentzucht e. V.).
A studbook for the species has existed for a long time. However, the narrow genetic basis on which the population is based, the existence of two lines of descent and the fact that many animals live in small enclosures that have not yet been recorded in the studbook make better coordination and more targeted breeding necessary.
To this end, it is necessary to analyse the genetic material of the individual herds. This project is funded by the EU and has recently been launched. Tiny skin samples are taken from the animals by distance biopsy using small special darts, which are dried and then analysed for certain characteristics in the laboratory. It is only a small prick for the animals, they do not have to be caught or even put under anaesthetic, and there is no danger to animals or humans.
Chemnitz Zoo is participating in the project, and yesterday the samples were taken from the animals living here - a bull, two cows and a young male animal - by a vet from the Förderverein Wisentzucht e. V. (bison breeding association). The zoo is looking forward to the results and hopes to be able to release animals back into the wild in the future and thus contribute to the conservation of the species in its original habitat.
Further information:
More information at www.tierpark-chemnitz.de and www.wisentinsel.de (Förderverein Wisentzucht e. V.)
Opening hours of the zoo:
09:00-16:00, last admission 15:00
Opening hours of the game reserve:
08:00 to 16:00