Bison in the Kraanvlak- English edition 2014

From visitor center ‘De Kennemerduinen’ leads a marked walking route to the view point of the bison area. You find the center at Zeeweg 12, 2051 EC Overveen, The bison path can be reached from the following entrances of the N.P Zuid-Kennemerland: Duinpieperpad, Noordduinen, Kieftenvlak and Wurmenveld.

ATTENTION: the dunes are a Nature-2000 protected area.

Please help us and stay on the bison path!

The First European bison project of the Netherlands Two thousand years ago wild European bison, also known as wisent, roamed freely through large part of Europe. From South-England to the depths of Russia and from South-Sweden to the Pyrenees. Based on fossil remains, found in the North Sea, and together with the findings just across the border in Belgium and Germany, bison inhabited very likely the Netherlands too. The European bison was almost extinct in Europe, in fact was completely extinct in the wild, with only a few individuals remaining under captivity conditions. Fortunately, a breeding programme was started in 1929 in Poland and currently, bison population consists of more than 4000 individuals distributed over European natural areas, breeding centres and zoos.

Since April 2007, European bison have been back in Dutch scenery, namely Kraansvlak, which is part of the 3800ha National Park Zuid-Kennemerland.

Consisting of old and young coastal sand dunes, natural dune ponds and a varied mosaic of vegetation (from open dune grasslands to dense coniferous and deciduous forests), Kraansvlak offers to its inhabitants a wide diet choice.

The Dutch project helps the largest terrestrial mammal in Europe, and flagship species for nature conservation, to thrive again.

Bison are ruminating in the sand More natural sand dunes Due to different factors, the dunes started to become overgrown by grasses and shrubs, turning dynamic open dunes into thickly covered fixed dunes.

This brings along changes to such a degree that the typical fauna and flora becomes in danger or even are lost. Open dunes are internationally important and protected in Europe. An unique landscape, which should never disappear. The expectation is that the bison, in combination with other grazers, stop and decrease the vegetation encroachment and bring back opened landscapes. Bison feed on grass, young trees and shrubs. They debark even full-grown trees and rub off barks from trunks. Besides, bison love taking sand baths, which enable the wind to blow the loose sand again. Thus, European bison behaviour plays an unique role in the ecosystem, with a different impact on it than horses, cattle, rabbits or other grazers make.

Bison watching From several locations in the Kraansvlak (see map on reverse side) people have a chance to observe the bison. Close to the main drinking spot is a view point. Along the most part of the perimeter of the Kraansvlak close by are public walking- and biking paths from where the bison are frequently spotted by recreants of the National Park. Then there is the bison path: a free-access walking route through the west part of the bison area. It offers visitors the chance to see European bison roaming freely through the dunes. An unforgettable experience!

Thanks to the use of GPS collars, anybody can check where the herd is and calculate the chance to watch the animals from one of the spots mentioned above.

The project website shows a map with the last location of the animals. Also guided excursions are offered for groups and photographers. Availability, prices and booking of excursions can be done via www.np-zuidkennemerland.nl.

Keep up to date!

We offer updated information via: www.wisenten.nl www.facebook.com/wisentenkraansvlak www.twitter.com/Wisenten

A bison eats the hawthorn Research From the start of the project in 2007 research is being done in order to gain knowledge and experience on the bison ecology in the Kraansvlak, a coastal dune ecosystem. Here the animals live under natural conditions with non-supplementary feeding offered at any time of the year. Actively research is done on: Foraging behaviour, impact on vegetation and landscape, habitat use, social behaviour, interaction with other animal species, as well as with humans, and public perception.

In 2012, the pilot was evaluated and a five years’ experience report was launched (available in Dutch in www.wisenten.nl). The results of the study may be of interest to managers of other natural areas in order to gain knowledge and experience about this emblematic species and its important role in the ecosystem under natural conditions.

The wisent project has been made possible through support from: