The economic future of wood bison: risks in the present, a study of foreign experience

This paper examines the international practices and regional experience in the reintroduction and use of bison in the economy, identifying the main risks for the future integration of bison in livestock industry. Scientific publications of Russian biologists, foreign economists and biologists, industry and regional reports, information papers of various bison associations, news articles and press-releases of state authorities were studied as materials for the paper. The authors consider the possibility and perspectives of replicating foreign experience and estimate the risks, considering the regional context. The North American experience in the recovery and commercial raising of the plains bison, a related subspecies/ecotype of the wood bison, shows the potential of bison breeding as an alternative to cattle. At the same time, high resistance to climatic conditions of the republic, similar experience in horse breeding, positive results of reintroduction, show the potential for replication and further development of foreign experience in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). Studying foreign experience also revealed dangers and negative aspects that require further research in order to minimize their impact in future: small population, vulnerability to diseases, wild nature, natural strength, competing species, as well as regional aspects such as remoteness and the lack of developed infrastructure. On the main risks, a range of issues is outlined, the solution of which will have a positive effect on the prospect of introducing bison into cattle breeding. In the future, the work on the analysis of the highlighted issues will allow a deeper research of using bison in the economy of the republic, determine the strengths and weaknesses in comparison with other species, formulate the necessary measures to minimize risks and more efficient, in the long term, integration into the economy of the republic.

wood bison, plains bison, bison, reintroduction, regional economy, agriculture, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), foreign experience, USA, Canada

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