How bison will save us from climate change. The dream of Pleistocene Park

Bison grazing in the Pleistocene Park

Many species such as large herbivores like elephants, ruminants like cows and sheep and predators like wolves and large felines must be present for the late Pleistocene ecosystem to be sustainable © Pleistocene Park

Animals in the Siberian tundra

Just by drastically reducing the number of animals and maintaining this low number for a period that is long enough to cause the degradation of the grasslands Mankind has caused the ancient steppes to become modern forests and tundra © Pleistocene Park

Elk in a river

An analysis of the bones found in northern Siberia has allowed scientists to calculate the animal biomass that was once present in the area © Pleistocene Park

Deer reintroduced into Pleistocene Park

Sergey Zimov decided to artificially increase the number of animals in a limited area long enough to promote the development of grasslands. In order to replenish the ancient ecosystem. Animals trampled all vegetation, including shrubs and musk © Pleistocene Park

Grazing bison

Under the constant pressure and fertilisation of grazing, grasses became the dominant vegetation once again, and in combination with the reintroduction of various animal species from the steppe they will form a modern ecosystem that is sustainable and ready to expand © Getty Images

A foal born in Pleistocene Park

Siberian horses were the first species that was reintroduced in the late eighties by Sergey Zimov and his team © Pleistocene Park

A reindeer being released in Pleistocene Park

Pleistocene Park is a colossal rewilding operation, the reconstruction of natural ecosystems and a large scale geo-engineering experiment © Pleistocene Park