Dr. Wanda Olech is professor in the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics at Warsaw Agricultural University specializing in population and conservation genetics and European bison breeding and management. She is interested in the genetic aspects of small closed populations, especially the influence of inbreeding on survivorship. The main goal of her studies is a complex pedigree analysis of the European bison population. Wanda is responsible for the mating program for the Polish captive population and coordinates the European Endangered Species Programme/European Association of Zoos and Aquaria program for this species.

Wanda is involved in bison reintroduction projects in the Carpathians and other sites in Europe. She is author of more than 35 scientific papers and articles and runs courses on conservation genetics, biodiversity, and statistical and experimental design.

The SSC Action Plan for European Bison was published in 2004 and now the Bison Specialist Group (BSG) must concentrate on its implementation, says Wanda.

The main aims of the European part of the BSG are:

• Saving the genetic diversity within the species by using, in breeding programs, those animals which are unique gene carriers detected using pedigree and/or DNA analysis. This needs cooperation within captive herds (40% of the population) and reintroduction projects.
• Upgrading the status of the captive part of the species in many countries in Europe - the protection of the whole species is very much dependent on the ex situ part of population.
• Preparing rules for European bison transport and organizing an international group working on health problems of bison. The BSG will cooperate with the SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group to develop a strategy to decrease the number and negative influence of American bison in countries where freeliving European bison populations exists.
• Providing diverse information on bison conservation via the BSG website.