Pašiliai European Bison Enclosure

The Pašiliai bison enclosure keeps the largest wild animals – European bison, listed in both the Lithuanian and the international Red Data Book. Until the 16th century, bison were widespread throughout Europe. The spread of farming, rapid population growth and increased hunting pushed them into remote, dense forests poorly suited to life, and bison began to die out fast. By 1854 bison had been wiped out in Lithuania. The last wild bison was killed in Poland in 1919. Out of concern for saving the bison, the Pašiliai bison enclosure was founded near Girelė in 1969 (as a breeding centre), with 50 ha of enclosures. A pair of bison was brought from the Prioksko-Terrasny Reserve in Russia. In 1970–1972 another eight bison arrived. In 1971 the first calf was born here; it was named Girinis. From 1973 bison were released from the enclosures into the wild for some time. This is how a free-roaming bison herd began to form in Lithuania. The herd living here is special because all its members are registered in the international studbook and have names beginning with the letters GI – Girinis, Gintaras, Girbaitė and others. Visitors can admire the bison from a covered viewing platform, rest in the new gazebos next to the enclosure and watch the life of the herd at length. It is a unique chance to see these animals up close – to watch them feed, scratch their huge backs on tree trunks and rest in the sun.