Tracking the Bison at the Neagra Bison Reservation in Bucsani

Curiosities About Bison

The bison (Bison bonasus), also known as the European bison, is the largest terrestrial mammal in Europe.

Bison disappeared from the wild in Romania at the end of the 18th century (the last bison in the wild was recorded in 1790). Starting in 1958, they were gradually reintroduced, and today the population of wild bison in Romania is growing, with over 300 individuals.

Bison are considered an "umbrella species", meaning that their protection helps conserve the entire ecosystem they live in. By grazing, they promote habitat diversity, encouraging the emergence of rare plant and insect species.

Although some males can weigh up to a ton, they are very agile animals and can reach speeds of 55-60 kilometers per hour.

The bison is a symbol of strength and resilience, a symbol of the Romanian forest, and a noble animal that has entered the legend in Romanian culture.

In Romania, there are several reserves dedicated to bison conservation, known as "zimbrării." Among them, the following are noteworthy:

• Neagra Bison Reservation in Bucșani, Dâmbovița County: This is the largest bison reserve in the country, established in 1983. It spans 162 hectares of forest.
• Hațeg-Slivuț Reservation in Hunedoara County: The first bison reserve in Romania, founded in 1958, covering an area of 50 hectares.
• Valea Zimbrilor Reservation in Acriș, Vama Buzăului, Brașov County: Established in 2008, this reserve covers about 9 hectares and is situated in a picturesque natural setting in the Ciucaș Mountains.

Additionally, we had the chance to admire a huge and probably very old bison at the Târgoviște Zoo.

Neagra Bison Reservation in Bucșani

The Neagra Bison Reservation is located about two hours by car from Bucharest, approximately 100 kilometers away. The road is good, with few potholes, and most of the drive is through villages. The last 4-5 kilometers are through the forest, and the road is passable, but after heavy rains, it could become difficult to traverse. In such a situation, we wouldn’t venture by car due to the risk of getting stuck.

Having read in many reviews that it’s best to arrive early to see the bison during feeding time, we left at 8 AM and headed to the reserve. We arrived at 10 AM, but the gate was still closed. Since opening time was 10:30, we opened the gate ourselves and entered. To our surprise, we saw the bison very close to the fence, offering us an extraordinary view. However, it’s important to keep a safe distance from the fence because although bison appear calm, they are wild animals and extremely agile.

At exactly 10:30, two people in a horse-drawn cart arrived to feed the bison hay, corn, and barley. On some days, they are also given beets or carrots. We walked along the fence to watch them, then climbed the observation tower to admire the herd during feeding. We noticed bison of all ages, from calves to older individuals moving slowly and majestically. All of them were intently following the cart, likely motivated by hunger.

Not only the bison caught our attention but also the surrounding forest. Being a November day, the forest was bathed in warm shades of yellow, orange, rust, and brown. We wished we had binoculars or a better zoom to observe the bison more closely, but we enjoyed the nature, fresh air, and tranquility. However, the silence was broken by the arrival of a bus full of noisy children, at which point we decided to continue our journey.

Not far from the Neagra Bison Reservation, about 20 kilometers away (about 30 minutes), is the I.L. Caragiale Memorial House in the town of the same name. We visited this small museum on another trip, but it could be an interesting option for those wishing to extend their excursion.