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| The European Bison Farm in Bucsani |
| (2012-07-14) |
| Last updated: 2012-07-20 16:37 EET |
Legendary animals in the old history of the Romanian Principalities, the aurochs and the bison are most commonly mistaken for one another, so today nobody actually knows which one is the genuine symbol of these historic lands. Legend has it, though, that Moldova was established after an aurochs hunt, which brought ruler Dragos from Maramures to the other side of the mountains, to the place where he would set up another voivodeship, namely Moldavia.
Also, for centuries the aurochs head was the symbol and emblem of this Romanian principality, although the species had disappeared from that area in the 16th century. Its cousin, the bison, a herbivorous animal as big and powerful as the aurochs itself, with long and sharp horns, survived in East European forests until 1927.
Unfortunately, in Romania, the last wild bison was hunted at the end of the 18th century in the northern region of Maramures. It was only in 1951 that bisons were reintroduced in Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, Ukraine, Russia and Kyrgyzstan, all in protected areas. There are currently several bison farms in Romania, such as the ones in Slivut Hateg, Vanatori Neamt, Vama Buzaului in Brasov and Neagra Bucsani in Dambovita County. The last one is a genuine breeding nursery for other farms. Engineer Marian Amuza, head of forestry range with the Forestry Directorate of the Dambovita County told us about how and when bison reappeared in Romania.
Marian Amuza: “The bison was reintroduced in our country after the second world war, in 1958, when two animals were brought from Poland. They were taken to the Slivut Park in Hunedoara County. Later, two more animals were brought to the Trivale Park in Pitesti. In 1983 a decision was made for the bison in the two parks to be taken to the Bucsani area, where the Black Bison Farm was set up. The animals here come from those two parks, and also from imports from Poland and Bulgaria."
The nature reserve in Bucsani, Dambovita County, is situated in the Black Forest, 25 km from Targoviste and 30 km from Ploiesti. It is not exactly the natural habitat of the bison, which is hilly and mountain areas. However, the animals have adapted quite well, proof of that being their growing number. Back to the microphone is Marian Amuza.
Marian Amuza: “Until a month ago, the total number of bison was 43. We got two more in June, when two calves were born. At the moment, we have 45 animals, with ages ranging from one week to 22 years. Generally speaking, the age average is between 20-25. The surface of the reservation is 162 hectares. It is surrounded by fences supported by concrete posts. The vegetation inside consists of various species of trees, the oak making up 80%. There are also many pastures where the bison can be visited in the morning, between 5.50 and 8, and also in the evening, after 6."
So, tourists can see for themselves these beautiful animals, which inspire both fear and force. Marian Amuza again:
Marian Amuza: “Male bison can grow 1,80 m tall, 2,20 m long and weigh up to 1200 kg. What matters is the trophy. Their chest is very well developed, and that is why the bison looks very imposing. It is a very strong animal, very powerful and quite scary. Females can grow up to 600-800 kg. They reach sexual maturity after 4 years. Gestation is 39 weeks, and they usually give birth to one calf, sometimes two.
So, if you happen to be in Dambovita County, maybe heading for the Leaota or Bucegi Moutains, make sure you stop for a while in Bucsani, to see for yourselves these genuine monuments of nature, which seem straight out of prehistory.
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