Wild Bison re-introduced in Kent's West Blean Woods

Don't buy a house near the fence!
Imagine being able to look out and see them, though.
It must be quite splendid!

MerylStreep

They are fenced into an area.

I hope it’s a very strong fence!

Those you mention were never indigenous, so they had no predators or natural diseases etc to keep them in check. I don't know what would keep bison in check, except humans eating them. That wouldn't go down well when the re-introduction probably took a lot of money, time and skill. Not yet anyway - if they threatened to over-run the country things could change.

I realise that bison were originally an indigenous species, as were wolves, but sometimes, when new species are introduced, it can prove to be a disaster. Could the same happen with re-introduction?
The grey squirrel for example, Muntjac deer, American mink, various crustaceans, plants etc.

Of course, we can't predict the future. Who knows? Maybe our economy will become so dire that we can't afford to fit them with contraceptive implants, keep the peripheral fence mended, or check the monitoring systen to see whether they are happily munching away at Farmer Brown's cabbages. We'd just have to declare them so numerous that they are no longer protected, and allow them to be hunted, butchered and stowed in people's freezers . . .

We're not going to have herds of bison thundering across the plains of Britain, then!

I am not picking on those who asked about increasing numbers, expanding territory, invading gardens and so on, BUT I copied all the answers from the (very interesting) link I had posted.

I know we are advised not to click on links from strangers for fear of getting hacked, but not all links are dangerous - and after 11 years on Gransnet, I would like to think that I am not really a stranger.

Thanks Elegran

Not like the wild boar, then, which really are wild and are prolific breeders.

Elegran

Katie59

It’ll be fine if they stay where they are put, when they stray into your garden they won’t be popular, they are also very dangerous, bulls are aggressive, cows are worse protecting their calves

They are in a fenced-in area of a Nature Reserve.

Hardly roaming England, no more than the Elephants at Longleat

Kim19

Help, please. Don't remember the history. Did they phase out naturally and how long ago? Ta.

From the article in the original link -
"The British Isles were a very different place some 10,000 years ago. For one thing, the land mass was still connected to mainland Europe. The last ice age was ending, and glaciers were receding. And bison may have been roaming—specifically, a now-extinct species known as the steppe bison. (Even farther back, in the Pleistocene, the forest bison likely made its home in Britain.)The project is centered on forest restoration but is also another chance for the European bison itself, which is globally listed as “Near Threatened” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature ."

"The species was hunted to extinction in the wild but survived in captivity. Through re-introductions across the continent, the bison have made a recovery, according to the IUCN, and now number more than 6,000 in about 47 free-ranging herds."

Chestnut

Lovely idea but having them roam wild could put lives at risk surely? We are such a crowded country there are few places which are not within reach of residential areas. Once they roam.....they roam!

They are in a fenced-in area of a Nature reserve.

Katie59

It’ll be fine if they stay where they are put, when they stray into your garden they won’t be popular, they are also very dangerous, bulls are aggressive, cows are worse protecting their calves

They are in a fenced-in area of a Nature Reserve.

Callistemon21

What happens when the herd increases?

We have enough problems with wild boar near here!

The three bison introduced to England yesterday are all females, but they will soon be joined by a bull in August. Park rangers expect the bison to breed and multiply, and the park is allowed to have up to 10 animals on site. However, the bison are not totally free to wander—they’re currently confined to just 12 acres. But that will jump up to 123 acres [inside a 1200 acre nature reserve] later in the summer and then more than third of the total park area after that. Unlike in a zoo or other wildlife parks, the bison won’t be given any supplemental food and will just have to graze for themselves.

Ongoing monitoring will track the bison themselves and also their effect on the forest.

Kim19 If you're talking about red squirrels, they could not compete with the American greys which were introduced in the Victorian era I think. The greys took all the food and the native reds slowly died out. Very sad. Nannagarra you are very, very lucky to see reds where you live, especially in your garden! They are so rare and precious.

Help, please. Don't remember the history. Did they phase out naturally and how long ago? Ta.

Here on the Sefton coast we have red squirrels which venture from the pine woods into our gardens. We are very keen to protect them. If we see a grey, we are asked to report it.
Confined to specific large fields are Herdwick sheep. There are also free to roam GPS-tagged (and super-friendly) cows, often found on the ranges and dunes. Both manage grasses - a conscious policy to allow rare flowers to flourish.
Another programme is to control invasive sea buckthorn. Twenty years ago it was sent to Chester Zoo as a treat for the black rhinos. Any suggestion that the rhinos could be brought here to eat it is met with equal measures of humour and alarm! Nowadays volunteers “buckthorn bash”.

Red squirrels......ah if only.....?

Imagine walking in the park and seeing reds instead of greys, what a wonderful thing that would be.

We went to a forest in North Wales where red squirrels lived, very excited. A sign said 'We hope you enjoy your walk in this forest home of the native red squirrel. Please let us know if you see one' ?

I'm all in favour of re-introducing wild animals, providing it's done with safety in mind, which I'm sure it is.

Callistemon21

What happens when the herd increases?

We have enough problems with wild boar near here!

For some reason that phrase about the herd makes me laugh every time I see it. ?

Callistemon21

What happens when the herd increases?

We have enough problems with wild boar near here!

Callistemon21 Where are you located? Italy? We have enormous problems with wild boar here.

MerylStreep

They are fenced into an area.

I was wondering if there were electric fences.

The wild boar roam everywhere.

I think it's fantastic

Can we also have wolves and red squirrels back lol

They are fenced into an area.

What a magnicent animal - the Bison !!

Chestnut

I love the way it says 'for the first time in thousands of years'. The UK is a very different place now!!! It will be dinosaurs next, then they can say 'for the first time in millions of years'. ?

Wolves and bears to be next? Wild cats?
If you go down to the woods today you’d better take a gun.
Teddy bears would be acceptable though.