A journey through the Land of the Bison gave Romanian actress and bison ambassador Dana Rogoz a new perspective on nature recovery, wildlife and rural communities in the Southern Carpathians. In this interview, she reflects on the unforgettable moments that inspired her to become a passionate rewilding advocate.
Bison ambassador Dana Rogoz with her family and members of the Rewilding Romania team.
Rewilding Romania
A voice for nature recovery
This summer, well-known Romanian actress Dana Rogoz spent five days exploring Rewilding Europe’s Southern Carpathians rewilding landscape as one of the first ambassadors for the LIFE with Bison initiative. Launched earlier this year, the Bison Ambassador programme brings together well-known public figures to help tell the story of the return of Europe’s largest land mammal to southwest Romania — inspiring more people to connect with nature and champion the recovery of this iconic and ecologically important species.
Co-funded by the European Union through its LIFE Programme, the LIFE with Bison initiative is helping to boost the free-roaming European bison population in the Țarcu Mountains — which now numbers over 250 individuals — while supporting local communities, responsible nature tourism, and nature-based businesses. During her visit, Dana hiked through forests and alpine meadows, met local artisans, farmers and entrepreneurs, visited the WeWilder ecotourism campus, learned about rewilding from the Rewilding Romania team, and joined specialist guide Cătălin Josan to track wild bison. After hours of searching, she and her daughter Lia were rewarded with the unforgettable sight of three female bison and a calf.
We spoke to Dana about what she discovered in the Land of the Bison, how the experience transformed her understanding of rewilding, and why she believes more people should visit the Southern Carpathians to experience nature recovery for themselves.
Dana and her family…
Daniel Mirlea
…explore the rewilding landscape.
Rewilding Romania
What inspired you to become a bison ambassador?
I felt genuinely honoured to be invited. The invitation told me that the Rewilding Romania team and their partners see me as someone who loves nature, respects the places I visit, and values cultural heritage. Those are values that are very important to me, so becoming part of this initiative felt completely natural.
Of course, I’m not a biologist or someone working in the field every day. The scientists, rangers and local teams deserve the real credit. But I see myself as part of the same chain. My role is to help communicate what they’re achieving and explain why rewilding matters. Initiatives like this need people who can help spread the message. I want more people to understand not only how and why bison are returning, but also how rewilding supports local communities and creates opportunities for responsible tourism.
I genuinely want to stay connected to this place and contribute over the long term. In fact, I’ve already been thinking about speaking to my son Vlad’s biology teacher and suggesting they bring his class here to experience this place for themselves. That’s the kind of ripple effect I’d love to see — because anyone who visits, learns about this landscape, and falls in love with it can become an ambassador too.
Anyone who visits the Southern Carpathians rewilding landscape can become an ambassador too.
Rewilding Romania
What surprised you most during your first visit to the Southern Carpathians?
The first surprise was simply wondering why I hadn’t come here sooner. I’ve travelled widely through the mountains of Romania, but somehow I’d never visited this area. I was overwhelmed by its beauty and by the incredible diversity of landscapes packed into such a small area. Every day felt like opening another treasure chest. Before arriving, I had read about rewilding, but reading about something is completely different from experiencing it. Over just a few days I learned more about nature and ecosystems than I remember learning in years of biology lessons at school.
That really helped me understand what rewilding is about. It’s not only restoring ecosystems, but creating opportunities for people to remain in these villages by developing authentic, rewilding-focused tourism built around unique natural and cultural heritage.
Dana Rogoz was overwhelmed by the beauty and diversity of the Southern Carpathians.
Rewilding Romania
You spent time with local people as well as wildlife. Why was that such an important part of the experience?
Meeting local people was just as memorable as seeing the wildlife. Nothing felt staged or created for tourists. People welcomed us into their homes, shared their stories, and showed us traditions that have been passed down through generations. I was fascinated by people like Mama Ana, who still weaves on a 200-year-old loom, and by younger entrepreneurs creating new opportunities while staying rooted in their communities. You realise that preserving these traditions is every bit as important as protecting nature.
That really helped me understand what rewilding is about. It’s not only restoring ecosystems, but creating opportunities for people to remain in these villages by developing authentic, responsible tourism built around unique natural and cultural heritage.
What was it like finally seeing wild bison after tracking them through the mountains?
The tracking itself was an incredible experience. We followed footprints in the mud, learned to recognise signs the animals had left behind, and even discovered tracks from wolves, deer and badgers. Every step taught us something new.
After walking for hours, I almost felt that simply being immersed in nature was enough. Then, just as we’d almost given up hope, three females and a calf appeared. It felt like nature had given us a gift. Because I’d already learned so much about the effort involved in bringing bison back and monitoring them, seeing them wasn’t just exciting — it was deeply moving. I understood what that moment represented and that made it even more special.
Seeing bison in the wild…
Daniel Mirlea
was a moving moment for Dana and her daughter.
Rewilding Romania
Why do you think the return of bison is so important for both nature and local communities?
The more I learned, the more I realised that this is about far more than restoring one species. Bison help create and maintain a rich mosaic of habitats that benefit countless other plants and animals. Every small interaction — from dispersing seeds to creating habitat for insects and reptiles — plays a part.
At the same time, the return of the bison is creating opportunities for people. Visitors come to experience the bison, but they also stay in local guesthouses, eat local food, buy local products, and discover local traditions. Those benefits remain within the community.
Once people realise they have something truly special, they begin to value and protect it. I believe the same thing is happening here, and that’s incredibly exciting to witness.
As a bison ambassador, what message would you like to share with others?
The biggest lesson I learned is that you don’t have to be a celebrity to become an ambassador for a place like this. Anyone who visits, learns about it, and falls in love with it can help tell its story.
I would encourage people to come here with curiosity and an open mind. Walk through the villages, talk to local people, spend time in nature and, if you’re lucky, follow the tracks of the bison. Once you’ve experienced it for yourself, sharing that experience becomes the most natural thing in the world.
After just five days, I genuinely feel like I’m going home a different person. I’m taking home new knowledge, new friendships and a much deeper appreciation of what rewilding can achieve. I really believe we’re witnessing the beginning of something remarkable here, and I hope many more people will come and experience it for themselves.
Invaluable support
Rewilding Europe’s work in our rewilding landscapes is supported by a wide range of highly valued partners. We would like to thank all our financial partners, in particular those providing core funding – notably the European Union’s LIFE programme, Cartier Philanthropy, Fondation Ensemble, the Dutch Postcode Lottery, Ecological Restoration Fund, Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme, Oak Foundation, EnviroSustain, WWF-Netherlands, and Arcadia. Their longstanding support plays a critical role in enabling us to deliver and scale up rewilding impact.
BOOK A SOUTHERN CARPATHIANS EXPERIENCE ON WILDER PLACES AND FOLLOW IN DANA’S FOOTSTEPS