European Bison Show Reserve, Międzyzdroje

The European Bison Show Reserve in Międzyzdroje (Zagroda Pokazowa Żubrów; say "myen-dzy-ZDROH-yeh") is a breeding enclosure for European bison run by Wolin National Park, set in the forest on the edge of this Baltic resort. Besides a small herd of lowland bison – Europe's heaviest land animal – it shelters animals that cannot survive on their own, including white-tailed eagles, wild boar, deer and two wolves. It is one of the top things to do on Wolin Island, and it stays open in winter.

Where it is

Międzyzdroje is a seaside resort on Wolin Island in Poland's far northwest, next to the border town of Świnoujście and the German island of Usedom. The reserve is about 1.5 km (1 mile) from the town center along a green-marked forest trail. Berlin is roughly 165 km away as the crow flies; Szczecin-Goleniów is the nearest Polish airport, and Heringsdorf the nearest German one.

Why the bison matter

European bison (żubr in Polish) died out in the wild after World War I – the last free-living lowland bison was killed in Poland's Białowieża Forest in 1919. The species was rebuilt from just 12 animals that survived in zoos and private parks across Europe. The European Bison Pedigree Book, which records every animal of known ancestry, has been published in Poland since World War II. Lowland bison bred in Poland get names starting with "Po," from "Poland."

The first four bison arrived on Wolin in July 1976, from Borki and Białowieża. Most of today's herd was born here; typically one or two calves arrive each year, and the herd has ranged from 5 to 12 animals.

What you will see

The reserve covers 28 hectares (69 acres), with a 20-hectare range for the bison and a half-hectare display paddock viewed from raised platforms.

• Bison grazing in the display paddock – be patient, as they have a lot of space.
• Wolves Kamyk and Freja: Kamyk lost a leg after being hit by a car in 2020 and could not return to the wild. He made headlines in 2023 by digging his way out and living free for months before being recaptured. He now lives in a 0.6-hectare enclosure and was joined by the female Freja in early 2024.
• White-tailed eagles, wild boar, roe deer and red deer, all rescued or hand-reared and under veterinary care.

There are benches, picnic tables, a shelter, toilets and viewing platforms, some accessible to wheelchair users. Plan 1–1.5 hours on site, or half a day including the walk from town.

Opening hours, tickets and getting there

As of October 2026, per the national park website:

• October 1 – April 30: Tuesday–Saturday 8 a.m.–4 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday; last entry 3:30 p.m.
• May 1 – September 30: Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., closed Monday; last entry 5:30 p.m.

Admission is charged in Polish złoty (PLN); buy tickets at the gate or in the park's online shop, where current prices are shown. Walk in along the green trail from Międzyzdroje, or drive to the paid national park parking area on road 102 at Kwasowo and walk from there. Dogs are not allowed in Wolin National Park.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially with children or if you have never seen bison up close. It combines easily with a day at the beach in Międzyzdroje or Świnoujście, and the winter schedule makes it one of the few outdoor attractions here that keeps regular hours year-round.