#186 | Bison's Return: Rewilding Romania's Carpathian Mountains with Gabriele Retez

In this episode of Rewildology, host Brooke delves into the groundbreaking European bison reintroduction project in Romania's Carpathian Mountains. Joined by Gabriele Retez, Wildlife Ecologist for WWF-Romania's LIFE with Bison Project, the conversation explores the journey of bringing these majestic creatures back from the brink of extinction. Gabriele shares insights into the project's inception, its ecological impact, and the surprising discoveries about the bison's role in carbon sequestration. The discussion also touches on the delicate balance between conservation efforts and local community adaptation, offering listeners a comprehensive look at the challenges and triumphs of rewilding in the modern world. This episode not only highlights the remarkable resilience of European bison but also showcases how their return is reshaping ecosystems and potentially influencing climate change mitigation strategies, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in innovative approaches to conservation and ecological restoration.00:00 Introduction to European Bison Reintroduction 00:42 Meet Our Expert: Gabrielle Retez 01:55 Gabrielle's Journey to Studying Bison 04:51 The Bison Reintroduction Program in Romania 07:57 Challenges and Strategies in Bison Management 09:13 Scientific Insights and Findings 22:21 Bison's Role in Carbon Sequestration 33:45 Challenges of Species Reintroduction 34:30 Conflicts with Local Communities 36:10 Learning from Past Rewilding Efforts 41:07 Human-Wildlife Coexistence 49:51 Future of Bison Reintroduction 56:28 Defining Success in Rewilding 01:02:30 Personal Reflections and Future DirectionsVisit the website to read the full show notes. Recording gear provided by Mojave and Focusrite.Support the Show Donate Rewildology Swag StoreSubscribe to the Show YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts Podchaser PodBean Castbox Amazon/Audible iHeartRadioFollow Rewildology Instagram Facebook Twitter/X LinkedIn