Experts to Assess Bison Population in the Caucasian Nature Reserve

From July 25, the Caucasian Nature Reserve is conducting its annual summer count of the European bison, the largest mammal in Europe. The specialists are tasked with examining known habitats of the animals and performing a visual count of the number and composition of bison groups. This was stated on the reserve's website.

"The data collected will help draw conclusions about the state of the bison population in the Caucasian Nature Reserve," the message reads.

The bison count is conducted twice a year. In winter, the animals are counted on mountain ridges and slopes during helicopter surveys. In summer, the research staff and volunteers make their way to the bison habitats on foot.

Specialists note all observation details, such as the size of the herd, the number of yearlings, and one-year-old bison.

"The more detailed the information provided, the clearer the data for subsequent analysis and conclusions will be. How the population changes, its current status, and any existing threats are the most important information for scientific work observing the wildlife of the reserve," the statement emphasizes.

Currently, the entire bison population in the Caucasian Nature Reserve is conditionally divided into five groups.

According to specialists, long-term monitoring of this species indicates that the population in the Caucasian Nature Reserve is stable, with no trends toward a decline in numbers for an extended period.

"According to last year's count, the bison population reached 1,200 individuals. Conclusions from the 2024 count will be revealed in the second half of August when all data from the filled accounting logs are processed," the reserve reported.