Prioksko-Terrasny State Biosphere reserve named after Mikhail Zablotsky

The European bison contemporary history is connected with the activity of the Prioksko-Terrasny State Biosphere reserve named after Mikhail Zablotsky - the only reserve in Moscow region. It is located in Moscow region, 12 km from Serpukhov. The reserve was organized in 1945. It is located on the terraces of the Oka river valley, covered with pine and mixed forests. The reserve has an area of about 5 thousand hectares. There are 57 wild mammal species, 142 bird species, about 2,000 species of plants. There are 8 plant species and 6 bird species listed in the Red Data Book of Russia. More than 260 species of the protected flora and fauna are included in the Red Data Book of Moscow region. The species: the Myotis and the European bison are in the Red List of the World Conservation Union. Since 1978, the reserve has been included in the UNESCO program "The Man and the Biosphere" and has the status of a Biosphere. The European Bison Breeding Centre was organized in 1948.