A new protégé of Bank Pekao in the Białowieża National Park

Bank Pekao S.A. has been supporting the Białowieża National Park in its activities related to the protection of the European bison for over 20 years. Thanks to the ongoing cooperation, it is possible to implement activities aimed at ensuring the well-being of the European bison living in the Park. In 2024, the European bison family in the breeding reserves of the Białowieża National Park grew by seven calves, including three in the European Bison Show Reserve. One of them is Pobanka, a new charge of Pekao, for whom the bank employees chose the name. During the ceremony of naming the little European bison, volunteers from Bank Pekao carried out a number of works for the benefit of the European bison and the nature and infrastructure of the Park.

The European bison is a protected species both in Poland and worldwide. It is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species as a near threatened species. It is also listed as a priority species in the European Union's Habitats and Wild Fauna and Flora Directive. In the current natural conditions, European bison cannot exist without special protection and human care.

For over two decades, Bank Pekao S.A. has been supporting the Białowieża National Park in caring for European bison, living both in breeding reserves and in the wild. This support is not only financial, but also real, tangible help. Bank employees, as part of employee volunteering, help with work with the European bison and for the benefit of the nature of the Białowieża National Park.

– Bank Pekao, as a socially responsible institution, supports initiatives that aim to improve the reality around us. We were happy to hear that the family of Białowieża bison has grown. We are happy with each new individual that ensures the survival of this species. Thanks to our joint efforts, we are able to ensure the future of these wonderful animals – said Rafał Utracki, Volunteering Director at Bank Pekao S.A.

The youngest of last year's calves, a female bison, has become Pekao's new charge. The little bison, for whom the bank's employees chose the name Pobanka, was born on November 9, 2024.

The heifer will be entered into the European Bison Pedigree Book under the pedigree number 16403. Her parents are: 13171 PORTER III and 12177 POLUNA. According to the adopted rules of the Book, which is a list of all pure-bred European bison in the world, the name of a lowland (Bialowieza) bison born in Poland must begin with the syllable PO. This condition had to be met when choosing the name for the heifer.

The heifer will stay in the European Bison Show Reserve until the end of 2025. It will therefore be possible to see her throughout the upcoming tourist season. Later, it will be transported to another, larger breeding reserve, where after growing into an adult female bison, it will most likely be placed in a free-range herd and enrich the gene pool of the Białowieża lowland bison population. It may also happen that it will go to another bison breeding farm in Poland, or perhaps even further in Europe, to genetically reinforce another bison population.

- Thanks to the joint efforts of many people associated with nature conservation, initiated in 1929 in the Białowieża Forest, it was possible to return the bison to its native habitat. The spirit of cooperation undertaken at that time to save this species is manifested today, among others, in the support of activities related to the protection of the bison in the Białowieża National Park by Bank Pekao S.A. It is no coincidence that the logo of both institutions includes the image of a bison. This obliges us even more to be responsible and take care of the survival of this species, so that nature benefits from its presence, and future generations can admire its majesty and beauty - said Olimpia Pabian, director of the Białowieża National Park.

More than 25 percent of the world's bison population lives in Poland.

There are over 3,000 of them here. The vast majority are free-living bison. The Białowieża Forest has the largest number of them in the country. Currently, this area is inhabited by about 870 bison, including 107 calves.

You can read more HERE