A bison weighing over 800 kilograms was found dead and decapitated in Măgura Ilvei. The police are investigating the case

A bison weighing over 800 kilograms was found dead and decapitated on Thursday evening in the area of Măgura Ilvei, Bistrița-Năsăud County. The absence of its head suggests that the animal may have been killed by poachers, but the exact circumstances will be established following the investigation.

The incident was confirmed by the county prefect, Stelian Dolha. Police officers from the Bistrița-Năsăud County Police Inspectorate and a commission from the Directorate for Veterinary Sanitation and Food Safety went to the scene.

The bison, a protected species both in Romania and at European level, was first spotted in Lunca Ilvei on September 23. The animal later reached the Măgura Ilvei area after moving through local residents’ yards. Witnesses described it as gentle and non-aggressive.

One day before its death, representatives of the Directorate for Veterinary Sanitation and Food Safety reportedly sedated it after the animal appeared ill and had foam at the mouth. Samples were collected for testing, including to determine whether its condition had been caused by excessive apple consumption. After the intervention, the bison reportedly recovered. The animal came from a reserve in Suceava County, from which several specimens had been released into the wild.