Abundance, ecology and dispersal of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae Rhoads) in Yakutia

Abstract

In 2006, 2011, 2013, and 2020, four groups of young wood bison, each made up of 30 individuals from Canada, were introduced to Yakutia. The bison began to reproduce at ages 2 to 3 in 2008. Their mating behavior was first noted in 2007 when they were 2 to 3 years old, and calving took place in the spring of 2008 when they were 3 to 4 years old. Between 2008 and 2023, 16 generations of calves were born from both Canadian and Yakutia-born bison. The percentage of females that gave birth varied each year, ranging from 46.2% to 92.3%, with an average of 69.3 ± 5.4%. In 2017 and 2018, some bison were released in the middle section of the Sinyaya River. By 2023, the total population of bison in the nurseries “Ust-Buotama,” “Tympynai,” and in free-ranging groups reached 348 individuals. We discuss the characteristics of pastures, plant nutrition, feeding, reproduction, reintroduction to the wild, and the distribution of bison in Yakutia and surrounding areas. Bison have adapted well to the region’s climate, which features long winters, short summers, and extremely low winter temperatures. Central Yakutia offers a broad ecological niche for bison, with shallow valley lands that have meadow and shrub vegetation. This environment supports the potential for successfully restoring the historical habitat of the Bison genus in Yakutia and nearby regions. To avoid inbreeding and preserve genetic diversity, it is crucial to regularly release animals into the wild and occasionally introduce new individuals from various parks in Canada.