On December 20, 2024, the time had come: four Konik wild horses from the renowned WWF floodplain reserve in Marchegg found their way to the Leiser Berge Nature Park – an important step for our close-to-nature grazing project in the Wild Solutions Park. Before they are allowed to explore the large pasture, they first move into their winter quarters, where they can settle in calmly, build trust with their new caretakers, and have their first encounters with the cattle already living here.
For the horses, much is new. It is the first time they come into direct contact with other large grazing animals – an exciting yet sensitive phase, where mutual acquaintance takes center stage. The stable social structure of the Koniks makes this gentle process of getting to know one another particularly fascinating to observe.
Arriving instead of overwhelming – why careful acclimatization is so important
At present, the wild horses are not yet roaming the main pasture of the Wild Solutions Park. Why? Because their specific needs require a careful approach to the site: Koniks cannot tolerate protein-rich grasses such as those that grow on nutrient-rich soils. And this is often the legacy of intensive agriculture: soils bursting with vitality – but not in the sense of near-natural grazing. What was once considered fertile farmland is today a challenge for robust wild animals like the Koniks.
Only once our cattle, through their natural grazing, have reduced the nutrient load – meaning nitrogen-loving plants have been pushed back and nutrient-poor, resilient herbs take the lead – can the wild horses move into their actual range. This process is not only ecologically sound, but also part of a larger plan: to restore the soil to a quality once typical of habitats for wild herbivores.
A project with history and future
The arrival of the Koniks is not only an emotional milestone, but also a clear sign of the transformation taking place in the Leiser Berge Nature Park. Here, past and future meet: animals that recall prehistoric landscapes are helping us address modern challenges such as biodiversity loss and climate change through natural processes.
We look forward to everything ahead – the first outings, the harmonious coexistence of species, and the visible traces these animals will leave on the path toward greater wilderness and ecological diversity.
Fotoclub Ernstbrunn, Jennifer Kraus