European bison were extinct in the wild by 1927 but have been successfully reintroduced from a captive population of just 12 individuals, now numbering over 7,000 in rewilded populations across Europe.
European bison reintroduction has been one of conservation's great success stories, but the welfare challenges of managing a genetically constrained population persist. High genetic similarity across all individuals means that diseases or genetic disorders affecting one individual can potentially threaten the whole population. Animals showing signs of inbreeding-related health problems require careful monitoring and veterinary intervention. Reintroduced bison must adapt to contemporary European landscapes very different from their historical range, navigating roads, agricultural boundaries, and human settlements. Managing their welfare while maintaining population viability requires ongoing international cooperation and sophisticated genetic management of the captive and wild populations together.