European Bison

European Bison, common name for a grazing bovine mammal resembling an ox; it is also known as the wisent. It is a close relative of the American bison (or “buffalo”). The European bison has a dark brown coat with long, coarse hair on the head, neck, and shoulders. It has a pair of thick, blunt, upward-facing horns set lower on the head than those of cattle. A male European bison can reach a maximum height of 2 m (6 ft 6 in) at the shoulder and may weigh nearly a tonne (2,205 lb). After a gestation period of nine months, females give birth to a single calf in late spring or early summer. Unlike its American cousin, which is a creature of the plains, the European bison lives in wooded areas. Its numbers declined dramatically in the first half of the 20th century, due mainly to hunting during both world wars. The few surviving animals exist in carefully managed and protected areas. These herds were founded from established European zoo herds and reintroduced into Poland. New semi-wild herds are being started in France.

Scientific classification: The European bison belongs to the family Bovidae in the order Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates). It is classified as Bison bonasus.