In Kent, two wild bison calves have made their debut following the introduction of a herd in 2022.
The introduction of these animals aims to facilitate natural management of the West Blean and Thornden woods located near Canterbury, as part of an unprecedented rewilding initiative.
Although the herd is routinely monitored by rangers from the Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust, the emergence of the two calves caught everyone off guard.
The staff had a hunch that one of the younger bison might be expecting, yet they were unprepared for the arrival of a calf so soon – much less two.
“The herd occasionally hears us working in the vicinity and approaches out of curiosity,” remarked bison ranger Hannah Mackins.
“On this particular occasion, much to my amazement, one of the females came up behind the group and I noticed she had a tiny calf underneath her.”
“It was such an honor that she felt secure enough to bring her calf to the corral where we were working.”
Just four days later, another unexpected event occurred when a second calf was born.
“Both of them are thriving. They’re nursing from their mother and growing rapidly every day,” Ms. Mackins stated.
Read more: How the bison rangers in Kent were selected
The current herd includes three females, one bull, and four calves.
“It has always been a part of this initiative to allow the herd to expand naturally over time through breeding,” remarked Paul Whifield, the director general of Wildwood Trust.
“These births are indicative of the animals exhibiting natural and healthy behaviors while thriving in the woodlands they are helping to regenerate.”
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Experts indicate that bison contribute positively to other wildlife and plant life by uprooting trees, which creates open areas filled with light, as well as generating deadwood that benefits fungi and insects.
They also create bare patches of earth through “dust bathing,” which benefits lizards, burrowing wasps, and rare arable weeds.
The introduction of bison to the UK nature reserve occurred for the first time in 2022, marking a novel approach to wildlife management.
Since their release into the woodland, the bison have roamed across 50 hectares, and in September 2024, work commenced on constructing the UK’s very first bison bridges.
Under UK legislation, European bison are classified as dangerous wild animals, necessitating that they be kept away from the public.
The construction of four bridges will allow the bison to traverse the woodlands without coming into contact with the public.
The rewilding initiative has also included the introduction of Longhorn cattle, Iron Age pigs, and Exmoor ponies.