Żubroń

The Żubroń [ ʒubrɔɲ ] ( Polish) or Germanized Zubron is a hybrid of domestic cattle and bison (Polish Żubr ). It is thus a counterpart to the North American Beefalo.

The first recorded successful breeding comes from Leopold Walicki in 1847, possibly earlier crosses were successful. After the Second World War, considered several scientists to use the Żubroń as a possible replacement for the Domestic Cattle. The Żubroń turned out to be very resistant and almost immune to diseases. In addition, it can be kept in a very desolate area without any agricultural infrastructure. In 1958 the work was continued with Żubroń - herds of the Polish Academy of Sciences in several field trials; best known were the in Białowieża and Młodzikowo. During the first 16 years of the trial 71 pups were born, including the August 6, 1960 Filon, the first Żubroń, who was born of a Żubroń cow. The Żubroń had become a tough and cheap alternative to domestic cattle, and the experiments were still up in the late 1980s on. The two famous test centers for the race were lekno ( 391 animals total) and Popielno (121 animals). Limited experiments were also carried out in the nature reserve Askania -Nova in the USSR.

However, fertility and economy presented not satisfied. The experiments were terminated. Today it is the only remaining flock with only a few animals in Białowieża National Park.

Żubrońs are very heavy animals - bulls reach up to 1200 kg, and cows up to 810 kg. They are very strong, immune to most diseases and harsh weather. The males are the first generation barren, the female, however, are fertile and can be with both parents species, ie cattle or bison House, propagate. The resulting therefrom male offspring are fertile.