Revival of the Great Herbivores of the Caucasus

June 4, 2026 Climate and environment

Most of the local bison – a hybrid of lowland and Caucasian subspecies – were collected from European zoos and relocated to Azerbaijan over the past seven years. Today, about ninety animals live in the Shahdag, among them – several pregnant females.

The revival of the bison population is part of a large-scale national program for the restoration of Azerbaijan’s ecosystems, including the return of species that have disappeared in the wild. This initiative is aimed at mitigating the consequences of climate change, including rising temperatures, disruption of usual precipitation patterns, as well as an increased risk of fires and landslides.

“When we help nature to recover, it responds to us immediately in many ways,” says Mireille Atalla, head of the adaptation and resilience division of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). “In the long term, we create benefits for people.”

Ecosystem restoration helps mitigate climate shocks in many ways. Mangrove plantings protect coastal communities from storm surges and sea level rise. Wetland revival replenishes groundwater reserves, which is especially important during droughts. Greening slopes prevents landslides caused by abnormal heavy rains.

“Ecosystem restoration helps social and economic systems withstand multiple climate shocks,” emphasizes Atalla.

“Ecosystem Engineers”

The last wild Caucasian bison was killed in 1927 – the animal became a victim of uncontrolled hunting and habitat loss.

Elshad Askerov, head of the Azerbaijani branch of the World Wildlife Fund, reminds that many species came to the brink of extinction during the Soviet period: “The soil and forests were severely depleted, many animals lost their natural habitat. Today, we have a historic chance to restore the lost species.”

The initiators of the bison return project were the World Wildlife Fund, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, and the local IDEA organization.

Large animals, Askerov explains, are “ecosystem engineers”: they disperse seeds, fertilize the soil, and their movements and grazing clear dense thickets, creating living mosaics of vegetation. This helps pastures recover and attracts small herbivores.

“Meadows like these attract a multitude of insects, and insects attract birds,” Askerov adds. “This is how the ecosystem comes to life, and a rich ecosystem is much more resilient to climate change.”

The Shaldag bison are descendants of animals from European zoos, in which lowland bisons were crossed with the last remaining Caucasian male. Since being released into the wild in the park, more than 25 calves have been born. Over the next 25 years, it is planned to increase the herd to 500 heads — the minimum number required to maintain a sustainable population.

Restoration of the food chain

The revival program in Azerbaijan covers other vulnerable species as well – for example, the goitered gazelle, which once roamed by the thousands in the foothills and plains of the Caucasus.

In 1960, zoologists counted fewer than two hundred goitered gazelles in the country — they were almost wiped out by poachers and habitat loss. Thanks to the creation of reserves and the release of over a thousand animals into the wild, today about seven thousand goitered gazelles live in the Shirvan National Park.

Like bison, dzheiran influence the landscape with their grazing. They also play another important role – serving as prey for rare predators: the European lynx, striped hyena, and gray wolf. “As the population of potential prey increased, predator populations began to recover,” says Askerov. “Every link in the food chain is important.”

The project for the return of bison is being carefully studied by environmental organizations from other countries in the region.

“A successful example of Azerbaijan is a model for other countries of the Caucasus,” notes Askerov. “We hope that one day the different peoples will meet and once again form a single Caucasian population.”