Фото: @radiyhabirov
The Republic of Bashkortostan will purchase nine more adult European bison from Belarus. Funding for the acquisition has been secured through a grant from the Presidential Nature Foundation, Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan Radiy Khabirov said on his Telegram blog.
“Our project to breed Białowieża bison in Bashkortostan has received a grant from the Presidential Nature Foundation. With the awarded funds — 10.2 million rubles — the Directorate for Specially Protected Natural Areas of the republic plans to bring nine more adult individuals from Belarus,” he said.
The Russian region has been implementing the bison breeding environmental project since 2023. Over that time, the population has reached 25 animals, including eight calves born in Bashkortostan. It is planned that by 2030 the number will increase to 50.
“I want to emphasize that we are not doing this for entertainment. We are addressing a crucial state task of preserving biological diversity set before us by the country’s president. And we are also repaying a debt to nature. At the beginning of the last century, bison were on the verge of extinction. Therefore, we are simply obliged to restore the balance, especially since the conditions in our republic are suitable for this,” Khabirov explained.
Bashkortostan is the only region in Russia where European bison are kept in a natural environment. They live on the territory of the Muradymovskoye Gorge park.