Historically, the European bison roamed much of western and eastern Europe, from the Britian to Siberia. However, overhunting and agricultural expansion drastically reduced their numbers, and by the early 1900s, the species was confined to only two protected forests in Poland.

European bison live in mixed deciduous and coniferous forests in eastern Europe, primarily consuming leaves, bark, acorns, lichens, and moss. Their social structure includes mixed herds led by a dominant male or smaller, all-male groups.
They are mainly nocturnal, resting during the day. The breeding season occurs around September, and rutting (mating) happens from August to October. During this period, young males are excluded from mating by older bulls. After a gestation period of approximately nine months, females give birth to a single calf.

The European bison was once on the brink of extinction with no remaining wild populations. However, it is now classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Today, around 7,000 individuals exist, all descendants of just 12 founding animals. While this genetic bottleneck presents health risks, there are now free-ranging herds in Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, and other parts of eastern Europe.

The term "buffalo" is commonly used for bison, but they are different animals. Buffalo are native to Africa and Asia, while bison are found in North America and Europe.

Fota Wildlife Park has participated in a European-wide breeding programme since the first bison arrived in Cork in 1999. Over the years, several calves have been born and contributed to conservation efforts globally. A significant number of Fota-born bison calves have been reintroduced to the wild in several national parks in both Poland and Romania, while others have been sent to various conservation projects in the UK.