A camera trap in Poland's Białowieża Primeval Forest has recorded first-of-its-kind footage of a bison family fighting off a pack of wolves. The video, captured on September 15 last year, shows five wolves attacking a bison calf, biting its neck and attempting to drag it away, before two adult cows intervene. The wolves return for a second attempt, but this time the entire herd rallies to defend the calf.
First video evidence of wolves attacking European bison
The clip was recorded in the Białowieża Primeval Forest, the oldest and best-preserved temperate lowland forest in Europe, which hosts the world's largest population of European bison. The forest spans 350,600 acres (141,900 hectares) on the border between Poland and Belarus, with over 870 bison on the Polish side and roughly 730 on the Belarusian side.
European bison, also known as 'the king of the forest,' are typically considered a non-prey species with no natural predators except humans. However, this footage calls that assumption into question. Researchers published their findings in the journal Ecology and Evolution, stating, 'To our knowledge, we present the first video-recorded evidence of wolves attacking a European bison herd in the Białowieża Primaeval Forest. Although the video did not capture a direct kill, it suggests that other attacks on European bison could potentially be successful.'
Historical context and reintroduction
Historical records indicate that wolf attacks on European bison were once more common. Between 1840 and 1849, around eight kills were recorded annually in the Białowieża Primeval Forest. The forest was a popular hunting ground for monarchs from the 14th century onwards, which explains the detailed records.
European bison went extinct in the wild in 1919 but were reintroduced to the Białowieża Primeval Forest in 1952. The first confirmed bison kill since reintroduction dates to the mid-1990s. After that, wolves appeared to shift their diet towards roe deer, red deer, and wild boar, likely because these species are easier prey than bison.
Implications for bison conservation
This video evidence challenges the long-held belief that European bison are invulnerable to wolf predation. The researchers note that while the attack did not result in a kill, it demonstrates that wolves are capable of targeting bison calves and that the herd's defensive behavior is crucial for survival. The study adds a new dimension to understanding predator-prey dynamics in one of Europe's last primeval forests.
