In 2024, Rewilding Romania launched Mero Apple Spritzer, the foundation’s first Rewilding product, created to support coexistence between people and the European bison reintroduced in the Țarcu Mountains. In partnership with Casa Despi, the initiative sources apples from orchards near bison habitats and generates economic benefits for people living in the reintroduction area.
Mero Apple Spritzer is a practical coexistence mechanism built around local orchard apples. Apples used for the beverage are purchased at a higher price than the usual bulk rate. This helps increase local orchard owners’ income and partially offsets potential losses linked to bison presence. Harvesting and marketing the apples also reduces a food resource that may attract animals into orchard areas.
The collaboration began in 2024. That year, approximately 2,000 bottles of Mero Apple Spritzer were produced from 500 kilograms of apples sourced from local orchards in Cornereva. In 2025, the initiative expanded. Rewilding Romania facilitated the sale of more than 3 tonnes of apples from local communities, increasing orchard owners’ involvement in this collaborative model.
Alongside its economic impact, the initiative promotes local products and develops practical ways for people and wildlife to live together. Mero Apple Spritzer has been presented at several events focused on local products and sustainable development. It offers a concrete example of how local resources can support nature conservation objectives.
Through this initiative, Rewilding Romania aims to develop economic models that generate benefits for local communities while also contributing to reducing potential conflicts between people and European bison in the species’ reintroduction area. Mero Apple Spritzer is a complementary initiative to the objectives of the LIFE with Bison project, contributing to the development of practical coexistence mechanisms and to increasing the economic benefits generated by the return of the European bison for local communities.
