Bison in Kent

[VSS]

Coming on OK . . an update on this.

First wild bison born in UK for millennia after surprise pregnancy

Exclusive: Unexpected arrival at a pioneering rewilding project in Kent after introduction of animals in July

www.theguardian.com

All very interesting, but it's stretching it a bit to describe it as "the first bison calf born in the wild" when the herd lives in a 12-acre enclosure. No different from any of the other bison calves born in UK parks, zoos and wildlife collections.
I'm not averse to a certain amount of this type of conservation work, but if you're going to call it wild then it's got to be wild, not just soundbites to garner donations and support.

 

[Sinistral]

All very interesting, but it's stretching it a bit to describe it as "the first bison calf born in the wild" when the herd lives in a 12-acre enclosure. No different from any of the other bison calves born in UK parks, zoos and wildlife collections.
I'm not averse to a certain amount of this type of conservation work, but if you're going to call it wild then it's got to be wild, not just soundbites to garner donations and support.

The article didn't actually say it was the first bison born in the wild. Obviously that's not true, as the herd is in a small enclosure before being released into the larger fenced area outside. The words were "It is the first wild bison to be born in the UK for thousands of years" which is intrinsically true. The rewilding label is fair because it's a different species from American bison already reared on pasture in the UK for meat. They're living wild out in woodland, apart from initial supplemental feeding to get them established. All in all that's an encouraging start, so let's hope things continue to go well.

 

[VSS]

The article didn't actually say it was the first bison born in the wild. Obviously that's not true, as the herd is in a small enclosure before being released into the larger fenced area outside. The words were "It is the first wild bison to be born in the UK for thousands of years" which is intrinsically true. The rewilding label is fair because it's a different species from American bison already reared on pasture in the UK for meat. They're living wild out in woodland, apart from initial supplemental feeding to get them established. All in all that's an encouraging start, so let's hope things continue to go well.

With respect, they're no more wild than my sheep. The use of large herbivores in conservation grazing projects is hardly a new thing, and they just have easily used native breed cattle to achieve their objectives. Having said that, the fact they're using bison does make it a very interesting project. Whether they'll ever be wild remains to be seen. The ponies and cattle in the new forest are nearer to being wild than I suspect these bison will ever be.

 

[Sat Rat]

@VSS
The Bison in Kent will never be truly wild as the block of woodland is between 3 heavily populated areas being Whitstable Herne Bay and Canterbury, huge swathes of woodland walks and picnic areas have been fenced off, I use to take my children along to see the ponies and highland cattle when they went to clear areas. But now you are now made sadly to feel very unwanted and unwelcome if you bump into any of the bush hat wearing Rangers!.

 

[Overlay]

in all probability there will be a annual adventure mail shot stating how well they’re doing until it runs out of steam and all forgotten and they’re moved

all part of keeping in with re wilders, green and woke persons, all of which supply copious amounts of dollar to make em feel good about themselves

i’m all for conservation of species and habitat, this last episode isn’t what it should be, stop building houses on marshes and farmland would be a start, but that would a non fund raiser for such folk

 

[willie_gunn]

Now one has dropped a calf, whoopie.

And those responsible for introducing them didn’t even know the cow was pregnant

It makes you wonder what else about them they are unaware of

 

[Scuffy]

Thank you for the link, but different species from the European.
Apparently American plains bison weren't suited to woodland, and are much more aggressive.
Didn't know that.

Having worked with both, I can assure you the European variant is significantly more grumpy than it’s American cousin. They have a very short fuse.

 

[dogone]

Lots of bison in western Canada. Some wild and free roaming and many more raised for meat. You do not want to hit one with your vehicle, someone died recently doing that.
Free roaming ones are annoying people in some northern villages. They sure get the local dogs stirred up. No one killed by them yet but when it happens there will be an uproar.

 

[Sat Rat]

Just a heads up if you go down to the woods today!. Kent online announces that the Bison have been released into the Woods between Blean and Herne(Wildwood nature park).

 

[John Gryphon]

Saw this in the news today and I am curious as to how this will go. Maybe owing a .375 H&H Magnum in the UK might become a reality after all in about a decade or so. Hope they do spread in the years to come as they are really amazing animals and might encourage the walkers to stick to the footpath.

Bison are back in Britain: Long-lost giant will roam in Kent from today in new rewilding project featuring a bull from Germany

View attachment 265164

It's a friggin joke..."to help the climate crisis conservationists say". Aren't these the same people that want methane emitting cattle gone or numbers reduced? Does a bisons guts produce less gas?

 

[Klenchblaize]

It makes you wonder what else about them they are unaware of

Suitable calibres for dispatch?

Hoping the 35 Whelen is enough gun.

K

 

[Klenchblaize]

Bless

First bison conceived in Kent woodland is born

A bison calf conceived and born at a reserve has been described as a “joyous addition”, as a project to boost the number of the mammals continues.

www.kentonline.co.uk

K

 

[olliehopes]

‘Gentle giants’: rangers prepare for return of wild bison to UK

Animals arrive in Kent in spring 2022 and will create forest clearings – described as ‘jet fuel for biodiversity’

www.theguardian.com

Really? This says this is the first UK introduction.

The New Forest Wildlife park have 4 or so...

So no, not the first in the UK

 

[sikamalc]

With respect, they're no more wild than my sheep. The use of large herbivores in conservation grazing projects is hardly a new thing, and they just have easily used native breed cattle to achieve their objectives. Having said that, the fact they're using bison does make it a very interesting project. Whether they'll ever be wild remains to be seen. The ponies and cattle in the new forest are nearer to being wild than I suspect these bison will ever be.

Very true.
I am from this part of the world, I grew up there. It is a bit of a publicity stunt as far as I am concerned. There is not a living hell's chance of them ever being wild as no doubt they required a Dangerous animal licence in the first place. Plus they are heavily fenced in, and always will be. Its a heavily populated area, Canterbury on the doorstep and my home town of Whitstable on the other side. The only other large expanse, if one can call it that, in the area is Clowes Wood, owned by the FC. Which since my childhood days, has now been completely destroyed with huge public access.

 

[Klenchblaize]

K