Back in 1927, Europe’s largest land animal became extinct in the wild following centuries of habitat loss and overhunting. A dozen individuals in captivity were subsequently bred across five zoos in the hope that one day, a viable population could be re-established. Now in 2015, there are over 5500 Wisent – to use their correct European name – of which more than 2700 are in truly wild, free-ranging herds. The magnificently primeval Bialowieza Forest which stretches across the border between Poland and Belarus, is once again a stronghold for them – having been home to 11 of the 12 Wisent removed during the early 20th Century to save the entire species.

There are now free-roaming populations in nine countries, with Poland, Belarus, the Caucasus region and Russia being home to the largest herds. Smaller colonies are developing well in countries such as Lithuania, Romania and the Netherlands. Between March and July this year, a total of 18 calves were born across European Rewilding Network member areas, according to Rewilding Europe.

As large herbivores, they are a keystone species that exert a considerable influence on the ecosystems they inhabit; shaping it through their manure, grazing, carcasses and movement through the forests. A multitude of species therefore benefit and depend on the Wisent for optimising ecological conditions in places like Bialowieza. Their presence in these ancient forests has brought about a renewed sense of public engagement with their wild spaces and led to a surge in wildlife tourism that has boosted local economies. Who knows, perhaps one day, we’ll see them return to Britain too…