European Bison Return to Spain to Combat Wildfires & Restore Ecosystems

In a move that speaks to a growing trend of ecological restoration through rewilding, European bison are finding a new foothold in Spain. While much of the country grapples with the devastating effects of wildfires, a pioneering project in the Iberian Highlands and, more recently, in Andalucia, is demonstrating the potential of these magnificent creatures to regenerate scorched landscapes and bolster ecosystem resilience. The efforts, spanning from Guadalajara to the Sierra de Andujar, represent a significant shift in land management practices, moving towards a more natural and preventative approach.

A Historic Return to the Iberian Highlands

Just over a year ago, in January 2025, nine European bison – five females and four males – were released into the wild in El Recuenco, a municipality in the province of Guadalajara. This marked the first time European bison had been reintroduced to the Iberian Highlands. Sourced from a private estate in Segovia, having previously resided in Poland and the Netherlands, the bison are part of an international research project led by Rewilding Spain, in collaboration with the University of Manchester, the University of the Basque Country, and ECONOVO, a research center affiliated with Aarhus University in Denmark. The project aims to understand how the bison adapt to Mediterranean ecosystems and contribute to their restoration.

The initiative isn’t simply about reintroducing a charismatic megafauna; it’s a scientific investigation into the bison’s ecological role. Researchers are meticulously tracking the animals via GPS and providing regular veterinary care. As Enrique ‘Kike’ Collada, the mayor of El Recuenco, explained, the bison represent “another possibility for preventing fires and managing the forest, like woodcutting.” However, he emphasized that the project is a research pilot, not a tourist attraction.

Bison as Nature’s Gardeners: A Success Story in Andalucia

While the Guadalajara project is still in its early stages, a five-year-old reintroduction program in Andalucia is already yielding promising results. Following a significant wildfire in the Sierra de Andujar in 2024 that burned 797 hectares, the European bison, alongside other wildlife like deer, wild boar, and lynx, have played a crucial role in the land’s recovery. According to Fernando Moran, a key figure at the European Bison Conservation Centre, the bison are “crucial in helping the land regenerate.”

Moran highlights the bison’s unique ability to act as “nature’s gardeners.” Their grazing habits prevent overgrowth, reducing the build-up of vegetation that can fuel future fires. Their manure fertilizes the land, and their trampling aids in the growth of new grasses. Remarkably, approximately 80% of the oak trees in the burned area survived and are regrowing, aided by the subsequent rainfall. The bison themselves thrived, demonstrating their resilience in the face of environmental disaster.

Addressing the Wildfire Crisis and Ecosystem Restoration

The reintroduction of bison comes at a critical time for Spain, which has faced increasingly severe wildfire seasons. 2025 was particularly devastating, prompting a search for innovative solutions to forest management. The bison’s diet – consuming both grasses and woody vegetation – is seen as a key factor in reducing wildfire risk by opening up forest density and reducing fuel loads. As Collada noted, bison consume approximately 30% wood, a higher proportion than other herbivores.

The potential benefits extend beyond wildfire prevention. The projects aim to recover abandoned grazing lands and revitalize forests, transforming them from “polvorines” (dust explosions) – as the mayor described them – into resilient ecosystems. Researchers are carefully monitoring the bison’s impact on vegetation and stress levels to inform future rewilding efforts.

A Measured Approach and Potential Risks

While the initial signs are encouraging, the rewilding projects are proceeding with caution. Researchers acknowledge potential risks, including impacts on native species and the possibility of unpredictable bison behavior in certain landscapes. Protocols are in place to monitor the animals and adjust management strategies as needed. The focus remains on gathering scientific evidence to support the expansion of these initiatives.

The overarching goal is to demonstrate the viability of using large herbivores to restore ecosystems and mitigate the growing threat of wildfires. If successful, these projects could serve as models for similar rewilding efforts across Europe, offering a natural and sustainable approach to land management in a changing climate. The bison, once a forgotten species in Spain, are now at the forefront of an unexpected, and increasingly vital, rewilding project.