Żubroń

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Żubroń in Białowieża National Park

Żubroń (pronounce: ['ʐubrɔɲ]) or Zubron is a species of mammal, a hybrid of domestic cattle and wisent. The Wisent (Żubr in Slavic Languages^[1]^[2]^[3]) is the European Bison hence the Zubron is analogous to the American Beefalo. The name Żubroń was officially chosen from hundreds of proposed names sent to the Polish Przekrój weekly magazine during a contest organised in 1969^[4].

It was first created by Leopold Walicki in 1847, although earlier natural creations might have been possible. After World War I various scientists thought of żubroń as a possible replacement to domestic cattle. Żubroń turned out to be more durable and less impregnable to disease. In addition, it could be bred on wasteland, without any farm infrastructure and with minimal husbandry in huge state owned PGRs. Since 1958 the work on żubroń herds was continued by the Polish Academy of Sciences in various laboratories, most notably in Białowieża and Młodzikowo. During the first 16 years of experiments a total of 71 animals were born, including Filon, the first żubroń born to a żubroń mother (August 6, 1960).

The animal was to become a durable and cheap alternative to cattle and the experiment was continued until the late 1980s when the results of the breeding programes were deemed unsatisfactory. Severe "temporary" economic difficulties of Polish socialist economy in the 1980's, lack of interest from the notoriously ineffective PGRs with no large private farms in eastern Europe as an alternative (an effect of communist land reform) and fears that Żubrońs will crossbreed with the endangered Wisents degenerating their gene pool played a large role in the decision. The two notable centres of experiments on the species were Łękno (391 animals altogether) and Popielno (121 animals). Limited experiments were also held in the reserve of Askania Nova in the USSR. However, it was discontinued and currently the only surviving herd consists of only several animals and is kept at Bialowieski National Park. However, as of 2007 there are press releases suggesting that the breeding and experiments are continued in Karolewo in Greater Poland^[5].

Żubrońs are heavy animals with males weighing up to 1200 kilogrammes and females up to 810 kg. They are strong, immune to most diseases and harsh weather. Males are infertile in first generation. Females are fertile and can be cross-bred with both parent species, i.e. with cattle or wisents, and males from these backcrosses are fertile.