European Bison Reintroduction and Nature-Based Economy Development in the Southern Carpathians, Romania
Southern Carpathians, Romania — Țarcu Mountains and surrounding protected areas
At the southern edge of the Carpathian Mountains, Rewilding Europe and WWF Romania are restoring one of Europe’s great wilderness landscapes by reintroducing the European bison after two centuries of absence. The initiative spans a network of protected and traditional landscapes exceeding one million hectares, aiming to create a contiguous 3-million-hectare rewilded area governed by natural processes. Alongside wildlife restoration, community-based enterprises and nature tourism are revitalising local economies and reversing rural depopulation.
The Southern Carpathians contain vast intact forests, wild rivers, high mountains, and traditional mosaic farmlands that support exceptional biodiversity, including brown bear, wolf, lynx, chamois, and red deer. Despite this richness, wildlife populations declined under historical hunting pressure, and land abandonment now threatens cultural and ecological continuity. However, these changes create a major opportunity for rewilding. The European bison reintroduction serves as a keystone for ecological restoration, symbolising a new model of coexistence between people, wildlife, and sustainable enterprise.
- Reintroduction of European bison to Romania after 200 years of local extinction, creating the country’s first free-roaming population.
- Establishment of free-ranging subpopulations in the Țarcu Mountains to build a viable meta-population.
- Development of visitor and research infrastructure — bison hides, wilderness cabins, research stations, and educational centres.
- Strengthened community engagement through nature-based enterprises and youth education.
- Creation of a sustainable tourism brand built around wildlife, wilderness, and local craftsmanship.
- Long-term vision: connect 3 million hectares of wild land across the Southern Carpathians through protected and rewilded corridors.
- 2013: Launch of bison reintroduction programme by Rewilding Europe and WWF Romania.
- 2014 - 2015: First two bison translocations to the Țarcu Mountains.
- 2016: Release of acclimatised bison into the wild; establishment of free-roaming herds.
- 2017: Development of visitor, research, and educational facilities; expansion of community partnerships and local enterprises.
- 2014 - 2023: Translocation of 99 European bison to the Southern Carpathians.
The Southern Carpathians rewilding initiative restores large-scale ecological processes by reintroducing European bison, rebuilding predator–prey dynamics, and supporting sustainable human livelihoods. The programme integrates conservation, community development, and tourism, transforming depopulating rural areas into thriving hubs for wildlife and eco-enterprise. By connecting wilderness areas and fostering pride in natural heritage, it lays the foundation for one of Europe’s largest rewilded regions.
Key stakeholders
- Rewilding Romania
- Rewilding Ukraine
- WWF Romania
- Local communities of Armeniș, Feneș, and Plopu
- Romanian forestry and conservation authorities
- Local entrepreneurs and tourism operators
- Educational institutions
- Ecological Restoration Fund
- Dutch Postcode Lottery
Financial metrics
Funding sources
- Rewilding Europe
- WWF Romania
- EU and international conservation funds
- local enterprise reinvestment
Budget
- Information not available
Environmental
- European bison reintroduced to Romania after >200 years; free-roaming bison population grew to over 200 individuals
- Restoration of trophic cascades through bison and predator interactions; Bison play key ecological roles in grazing dynamics, soil disturbance, and seed dispersal, enhancing biodiversity.
Social
- Local entrepreneurs supported to create rewilding-linked businesses (accommodation, guiding, crafts, food products).
- Armeniș Visitor Centre established, providing education and local craft sales.
- Youth and school programmes introduce rewilding and bison ecology to new generations; 15 children aged 10–15 attended the week-long “Junior Rewilders: Mission Retezat” camp
- Local training equips residents for emerging tourism and research opportunities.
- A research station was established in Feneș, enabling fieldwork on bison ecology and behaviour.
- Wilderness cabins and educational trails promote experiential learning.
- Rewilding initiatives helping reverse land abandonment by creating new livelihoods and regional pride.
Economic
- Growth in wildlife tourism centred on bison and bear-watching.
- Refurbished accommodation and wilderness cabins create local jobs.
- Local artisans and producers gain visibility through eco-tourism and rewilding branding.
- Information not available.
- Large herbivore reintroductions can catalyse ecological and economic revitalisation at landscape scale - Through their grazing, foraging, trampling and fertilising, bison help to maintain biodiversity-rich mosaic landscapes and numerous micro-habitats, hosting a wide range of plant and animal species. This also attracts nature tourism and enables local product sales.
- Investing early in visible community benefits and local infrastructure builds legitimacy: the visitor centre, cabin, and facilities in progress create tangible local touchpoints that connect rewilding to education, services, and local enterprise.
- Integrating education, tourism, and research accelerates both ecological outcomes and builds long-term social support - camps, school outreach, and training for community members and entrepreneurs are used to develop local capacity and create future stewards of the landscape.
For Reference
- Rewilding Europe, South Carpathians, 2025.
Information not available yet.
