Tender giants

Interview with Prof. Dr. Alina Rusu

Alina is a biologist and psychologist and currently Professor in the Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnologies, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca (USAMV Cluj-Napoca). She is the academic coordinator of a unique master’s degree programme in Romania: Ethology and Human-Animal Interactions (EHAI master program), taught in English. She is also a board member of the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations (IAHAIO). For “Philosophy in the Wild”, she leads the team that documents and reflects the rewilding of European bison (Bos bonasus) in Romania, which has been largely regarded as successful after the last wild living specimen had been shot almost 100 years ago. The team investigates the complexities and moral conflicts that nonetheless arise.

Alina, thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview – last month, you have been to Zimbri Park in Slivut Hațeg. ‘Zimbri’ is plural for ‘zimbru’ which is Romanian for European bison and the park is at the heart of activities to release these impressive animals into “the wild”. Could you give us a bit of background – how “wild” a country is Romania? And how did the idea of rewilding European bison develop?

Indeed, we had a very interesting field trip to Zimbri Park. By “we” I mean three members of Team Romania (Alex, Eugen and myself) and ten of our students of the master’s degree program “Ethology & Human-Animal Interaction”. One of the students has her parental house in Hateg, so she was already familiar with the history and the surroundings of the European Bison Nature Reserve Slivut Hațeg.

According to various sources, for example Rewilding Romania, the Carpathian Mountains, as well as the Danube Delta, are considered significant wild areas in Romania and Europe, in terms of diversity of fauna and flora. However, the human interferences in terms of exploitation of the natural resources (tourism, excessive logging etc.) makes it often difficult to identify the “pure” wild areas in Romania.

During our visit, we had the great opportunity to interact with one of the veterinarians involved in the monitoring of the European Bisons in Romania, who is collaborating with our University and with Rewilding Europe. We found out that the story of this particular nature reserve began in 1958, when a pair of bison were brought from Poland. Five years later, another female was brought from Poland. Part of the bison that resulted from their reproduction over the years were reintroduced in two areas in Romania (Neamt and Tarcu Montains). Currently, there are six individuals living in Slivut Hațeg, four males and two females.

We learned that this male biased sex-ratio is associated with more frequent periods of oestrus in females than usual, which can result in their inability to properly nurse their calves from one period to another. One of our students raised the question of why some of the males were not moved to zoos or other natural parks. Apparently, the bureaucratic process in Romania, as well as the space and the resources needed to properly host European bison in zoo environments, are often considered too complicated (if not impossible) by the personnel in charge with the nature reserve.

Also, we found out that another variable that is difficult to control when having to manage European bison that are coming from various sources is their foraging habit. Some of them are used to eating only food provided by humans (e.g. high-quality hay), thus they can’t directly graze the grass, even if that is high-quality.

Finally, we discussed the zoonotic risks associated to the parasites of domesticated animals (goats, donkeys, cows) that are documented to have an impact on the reintroduced European Bisons, often being required the intervention of the veterinarians.

They look like such sturdy creatures and are yet so tender. Alina, I have a question for you as ethologist. Mary Midgley talks about the animals whom humans have managed to domesticate. She says: “The animals […] became tame, not just through fear of violence, but because they were able to form individual bonds with those who tamed them by coming to understand the social signals addressed to them. […] All creatures which have been successfully domesticated are ones which were originally social.” (AAWTM, 112) There are many more socially organised mammals whom humans have not managed to domesticate – from antelopes to zebras. Where do we have to place these European bison? Humans control their reproduction as part of efforts to save the species but zimbri are and should remain wild animals, so non-domesticated. They also must not be habituated to humans, am I right?

Indeed, theoretically, the reintroduction process implies as little contact as possible with humans for animals to be considered wild. In the case of “zimbri”, it is important to mention that there is a relative high rate of inbreeding among the individuals that were brought in the beginning of the Hateg nature reserve’s history. This make it difficult to biologically identify the consequences of this inbreeding process on the genes related to various behavioural traits, such as interspecies sociality. Also, bearing in mind the excessive exploitation of forests in Romania, we can ask ourselves how these reintroduced animals are supposed to have no contact with humans. Some data also suggest that the inbreeding process is associated with a decrease of their body size, both in males and females. So, perhaps, in our efforts to save the original species, we have created another one.

Interesting. I guess aside from “romantic concerns” with originality and saving particular iconic species, the motivation to reintroduce “native” species can come from the idea of “paying” reparations for past injustices done to those animals’ ancestors; the American philosopher Clare Palmer has suggested something similar in the past. Does that way of looking at rewilding initiatives resonate with you? Or what do you and your team think is the most important element in human relations with wild animals?

Thank you for these questions, dear Mara. If you have a look at our post-trip reflections, you can see that there are plenty of concerns about the reparatory function of the reintroduction process in terms of bringing justice to this beautiful species that was hunted nearly to extinction by humans. Shall we accept they would do better in sanctuaries, where veterinarians can provide constant care to them, or shall we let them find their way in the wild forests of Romania? If we do the latter, do they risk to be hunted again? How will they cope with novel zoonotic challenges (e.g. parasites of other domesticated species) their ancestors did not face? You know, we are currently teaching our students in anthrozoology and human-animal interactions approaches that are centred on the positive well-being of the individual. Where, then, do we place the story of a young male that starved to death because he did not know how to graze?

That story is so very sad and such a powerful reminder how careful humans must proceed “in the wild”. Too often, it is seen as a space where humans can get let go and feel free of societal responsibilities – almost the opposite seems true. One goal of our project is to contribute to a different culture between humans and wild living animals by educating and inspiring young minds. You are also planning an event for young people which will start this weekend. What have you planned?

On Saturday, we start one week of workshops and events in Cluj-Napoca at the exhibition room of the Zoological Museum of Babes-Bolyai University. There will be a multi-sensorial exhibition of artworks featuring bison – we aim to engage not just visitors’ vision, but also their senses of smell and touch. People, and in particular young people, will be invited to draw in a natural size shape of a bison on a paper wall, to reflect and be creative about the coexistence with the European bison.

I wish you all the best for that series of events and hope it generates lots of good ideas. Before I let you get on with the final preparations, what is your favourite scent?

My favourite scent is the one of the rain in the forest.