ESSEN, Germany (Reuters) — Mediators in a long-standing dispute over Germany’s only free-roaming herd of European bison have recommended reducing the size of the herd.
The dispute over the bison, also known as wisents, has pitted the forestry industry against environmentalists and conservationists. The herd roams in the Westphalia region of central Germany.
A round table discussion moderated by two former state ministers, Ursula Heinen-Esser of the conservative CDU and Johannes Remmel of the Greens, on Sept. 22 recommended reducing the herd of about 40 animals down to between 20 and 25 as soon as possible.
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The animals should be relocated to other herds elsewhere in Europe, the two politicians said at a news conference in the central German city of Siegen.
Forest owners have complained that the bison destroy trees. Civil claims for damages from foresters averaging around 250,000 euros per year (C$382,000) forced the foundation that had overseen the wild herd to file for insolvency.
The dispute dates back to 2013, when a herd of eight bison was released in the Wittgenstein region. The herd wandered, multiplied and caused damage to trees.
The round table negotiations aimed at solving the dispute began at the beginning of the year.
New proposals to better manage the herd include tagging the animals with transmitters to track their location. In addition, the mediators proposed a compensation fund to cover bison damage.
A new publicly backed foundation should help carry on the work of the now-insolvent association, they said.
