EUROPEAN BISON 



(Special reprint from "Zoological palaerctica," 1. 1 (1.4.1923) 



THE PRESERVATION OF THE BUFFALO 



By Dr. Kurt Priemel 



Director of the Zoological Park in the City of Frankfurt, A. M. 



The warning cry of "Buffalo in distress!" greatly worried every 

 friend of nature, when in the year 1915 our soldiers in Russia came 

 close to the buffalo forest where this animal existed. It was impossible 

 to check the troops from killing the buffalo for food and the trophies 

 which their horns offered. Out of 700 there were only 150 left. 



Then again, the cry was heard of "Buffalo in distress!" The news 

 came from Kaucasus that there, too, the buffalo had almost become 

 extinct, due to the revolution and warfare, and that machine guns and 

 whole regiments were used to hunt the buffalo. 



In November, 1918, under the care of military foresters, the 

 buffalo had increased to about 200 head, but, again the troops passed 

 through the forest and after that there were only two buffalo left. If 

 this condition is not soon changed, the buffalo in Europe will become 

 extinct, as at present there are only about 60 buffalo left in European 

 forests. 



The Bialowieser Forest remains in German hands, and that is the 

 only chance we have for preserving the buffalo from becoming extinct. 



For many years the Germans have been successful in breeding 

 this animal, a fact which gives us the right to assume the role of pro- 

 lector to this wonderful monument of nature, and we felt it our perfect 

 right to raise our voices in warning that this animal would become 

 extinct if proper precautions were not taken for its preservation, but 

 we were not heeded, and, of course, we soon saw the sad consequences 

 of disregarding of our warning, for the hordes again flooded our forests 

 and wreaked havoc among the buffalo that were left. 



However, we will not look behind us, but will raise the question, 

 "Is it worth while, due to the few animals that are left, to bother trying 

 to preserve this animal at a time when there is so much materialism 

 and scarcity of food?" It is already known that there are a number 

 of people who are positive it will be a waste of time to try to preserve 

 this wonderful beast; if so, it would mean that in about from two to 

 four years the last buffalo would become extinct, and I am sure our 

 grandchildren would never forgive us if we did not try to preserve 

 this animal. We will not give up hope, and if all who are interested 

 will work together we will be able to preserve this wonderful monu- 

 ment of nature. 



In the years 1916 and 1917 these facts were presented to the 

 Conference of Directors of the German Zoological Gardens; which they 

 think can, with modifications, be put through at a later date, as at t- .. 



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