Zubrowka tinctures are made only from natural extracts from bison grass and fruits growing in ecologically clean forests of Belovezhskaya Pushcha. This unique forest complex, which is located on the territory of Poland and Belarus, is under the protection of UNESCO. The last fragments of primeval forests on the European lowland remained only in this territory.
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Belovezhskaya Pushcha / Photo facebook.com/ZubrowkaUA
In addition to the rich flora, the fauna of these untouchable forests is no less diverse. It has about 11 thousand species of unique animals, some of which are listed in the Red Book. Among the animal species living in this area, the largest are belovezhskaya bison.
Contemporaries of mammoths
The European bison, or Bialowieza bison, is the largest land mammal in Europe. It is a subspecies of the bison genus. The weight of an adult male is 440 to 920 kilograms. The length of the body reaches 3 meters, and the height is 188 centimeters. Animals have a massive head, tilted downwards.
On the head of the bison there are small convex horns with raised tips. These animals have a powerful neck and strong legs. Bison are covered with thick hair: in front it looks like a mane, and on the head and forehead it looks like curls. The bison’s tail is short with a thick brush at the tip.
Bialowieza bison / Photo by Zubrowka
In summer, the bison’s coat has a chestnut-brown color. Winter coloration is somewhat darker, and the coat is longer and curly than in summer.
Bison feed on plants, young shoots, leaves and bark. They are able to travel a considerable distance in search of food. Bison live in herds, which number from 5 to several dozen individuals.
Bison have a calm nature, but if they feel threatened, they are able to reach speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour and jump up to 3 meters in length.
Conservation of the bison population
In 1538, the Polish king Sigismund III issued a law providing for the protection of the forests and animals of the Belovezhskaya Pushcha. And later, the first forest charter and forestry appeared, the purpose of which was to preserve species and protect the territory.
However, in 1919 the bison population was on the verge of extinction: all wild bison were destroyed. Already in 1923, the International Association was established, the purpose of which was to restore the bison population.
Bison breeding / Photo facebook.com/ZubrowkaUA
Today, Poland and a number of other European countries apply all the necessary methods to preserve the bison population. In 2018, their numbers increased significantly: in the Polish part of Belovezhskaya Pushcha, there were 1,873 bison (in 2000, there were only 717 individuals).
To conserve the species, several bison habitats have been established to ensure genetic diversity. Therefore, Polish bison are regularly resettled in other European countries. In the last few years alone, more than 50 animals have been sent to farms in Spain, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria.
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The search for new locations for breeding and preparation for the resettlement of bison is a difficult and responsible job that requires a professional approach.
The Polish distillery CEDC, which produces Zubrowka, is also making every effort to preserve the bison population, investing heavily in the development of the reserve every year.
Thanks to such coordinated actions, the bison’s status has changed from “at risk” to “included in the group of vulnerable species.”
Bison is a symbol of Zubrowka
If Zubrowka is a symbol of Poland’s pride, then bison is a symbol of Zubrowka.
They are considered one of the symbols of freedom and wildlife. No predator is a threat to the bison. Huge size, outstanding physical strength and durability make it invulnerable to predators. An adult male bison can defeat a whole pack of wolves on his own.
Bison – the symbol of Zubrowka / Photo facebook.com/ZubrowkaUA
Its strength and endurance reflect the spirit of the brand, which has maintained its tradition for centuries, producing tinctures only from selected natural ingredients.
Zubrowka Bison Grass / Photo facebook.com/ZubrowkaUA
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Zubrowka is a legendary drink with character that has retained its authenticity to this day. Thanks to this, each of us can feel the natural taste that has come down to us through generations. Discover the crystal purity and primordial nature of the drink, which gives the power and energy of the majestic bison.