The final blow for Poland’s wild bison came with the outbreak of World War I. Despite a German decree to “preserve these bison for posterity as a unique natural monument,” the herd was decimated by the retreating German armies, by Russian resistance fighters, and by the ever-present poachers.
Pigo la mwisho kwa nyati wa mwituni wa Poland lilikuja na kuzuka kwa Vita vya Kwanza vya Ulimwengu. Licha ya amri ya Wajerumani ya “kuhifadhi nyati hao kwa ajili ya vizazi vijavyo kuwa mnara wa kipekee wa asili,” kundi hilo liliangamizwa na majeshi ya Ujerumani yaliyorudi nyuma, na wapiganaji wa upinzani wa Urusi, na. na wawindaji haramu waliopo.