Two rare European bison found decapitated at Spanish nature reserve

There is mystery at a nature reserve in the east of Spain after two rare European bison have been found decapitated in under a week, local reported Friday.

Staff were shocked on Sept. 16 to discover the headless body of "Sauron", the 660 kg dominant male of the herd of European bison at the Valdeserrillas nature reserve close to Valencia.

That gruesome discovery was repeated on Thursday with the discovery of a second headless body of another of the park's bison.

A spokesperson for the central government delegate in Valencia confirmed that the animal had been decapitated after its death, but was unable to confirm for the moment, whether the animal had died a natural death or been poisoned before being "decapitated by an axe."

Reserve spokesman, Rodolfo Navarro had earlier told the Spanish press that he believed Sauron had been poisoned before having his head cut off, possibly by trophy hunters.

The Valdeserrilas nature reserve has been working with European bison, of which there are around 5,500 specimens remaining worldwide, for just over a year, after spending over two years preparing for their arrival.

The park carries out all kinds of activities, from safaris to environmental education, and cares for the bison under the watch of the European Bison Conservation Center. Endit