Ancient woodlands in southern England will be re-wilded with a heard of bison
(Bison bonasus), a species that oncee roamed all over Europe but has been absent from the island for centuries. No doubt hunted to extinction by man, he is spending $1.4 million to bring them back to their native land. The European bison is smaller than his plains dwelling North American cousin and inhabits woodlands. Although Blean Woods is a 1257 acre oasis of Nature, the absence of biodiversity in the forest is noticeable for its silence. Bison are able to penetrate dense growth and expose the forest floor to sunlight, which promotes growth and diversity. They also fertilze the soil and provide food for insects with their droppings. By eating bark and wallowing they create deadwood, a home for a host of invertebrates and fungi. [photo credit; D. Wright]
European bison almost went extinct after the devastation of WWI. Only 54 remained alive in zoos. Now, re-wilding projects are springing up all over Europe. The Blean team also plans to introduce feral Exmoor ponies and wild pigs, but the bison are expected to make the biggest difference to the health of the forest. To evaluate the effectiveness of their re-wilding program, the woods will be divided in three sections with one reserved for bison, one for longhorn cattle, and one managed by man with his chainsaw. The animals will be tracked with GPS collars to understand how they manage the forest on their own. Eventually the public will be able to observe the bison up close on walks in Blean Wood, a short drive from Canterbury. Welcome home bison! [photo credit: Wildwood Trust
