At the southern edge of the Carpathian Mountains, the partner network of Rewilding Romania is 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 of roughly 300,000 hectares 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.
Highlights
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.
Timeline
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 - 2024: Translocation of 113 European bison to the Southern Carpathians.
About the intervention
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.
Find more information about the New European Bauhaus here.
New European Bauhaus compass
"1,2,3,2,1,2"
The transformation to the wetland mosaic is a secondary, but impactful, result of hydrological work.
It greatly enhances the scenic beauty and aesthetic value of the area.
The project ensured that marginalized groups were actively included in the planning phases.
Long-term ecological balance and climate resilience were the primary drivers.
Local communities were actively engaged in shaping the final design of the landscape.
Stakeholders from local, regional, and national governments collaborated on funding and execution.
Experts from ecology, urban planning, sociology, and economics worked together closely.
Introduction
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Key stakeholders
Rewilding Romania
WWF Romania
Municipalities of Armenia, Teregova and Cornereva
Romanian forestry and conservation authorities
Local entrepreneurs and tourism operators
Educational institutions
WeWilder
Research and Development Institute for Wildlife and Mountain Resources
Ministry of Environmen
Hunting Associations
Financial metrics
Funding sources
Rewilding Europe
WWF Romania
EU and international conservation funds
local enterprise reinvestment
Ecological Restoration Fund
Dutch Postcode Lottery
Budget
LIFE RE Bison: 1,8 Million €
LIFE with Bison: 5,25 Million €
Outcomes
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).
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
Launch of the Rewilding Romania Travel agency to create new tourism opportunities, contributing to 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.
+90 residents trained how on to open Local gastronomy points
Support for local business networks including local producers, entrepreneurs, and tourism operators through workshops and advisory support
Risks and considerations
Information not available.
Lessons learned
Bison reintroduction asks for expertise in translocation and coexistence - since the start of the reintroduction of the bison population in the Tarcu Mountains the local team has gained important expertise in crucial technical aspects concerning bison translocations such as the selection of the animals to form the herds, best practices of animal transports, release and acclimatisation protocols and best practices to manage coexistence with the local communities
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.
