Unfortunately, these wisents became victims

of the Great War,

they were killed for their meat,

and in 1921 only

one wild wisent remained.

Photo E.Dusher

In 1923, a polish scientist imagined In 1923, a polish scientist imagined a schedule to save the species, with a schedule to save the species, with

animals living in zoos. animals living in zoos. The project was widely adopted and in The project was widely adopted and in 1929, wisents returned to the Bialowieza 1929, wisents returned to the Bialowieza

ForestForest.

They grew in numbers, but in 1953 a severe illness They grew in numbers, but in 1953 a severe illness reminded scientists that they should send some reminded scientists that they should send some

animals away to preserve the race.animals away to preserve the race. Photo E.Dusher

It took them a long time to find a wide wild space with forests in Europe.

A place was found in France, in Margeride, North of Lozere and the first wisents arrived in 1991, 6 males and 3 females brought all

the way from Bialowieza by truck. Ste Eulalie welcomed a second team of younger wisents in 1992, and since then they breed

quite happily.Photo E.Dusher

You may visit Ste Eulalie reserve,

but only in a horse carriage,

the smell of the horse hides the human one.

Photo E.Dusher

This is very nice, This is very nice,

and in winter and in winter

you may do it you may do it

in a sledge!in a sledge! Realised by College Prive Mixte