AssetID: 56128177
Headline: Bison the move: New bridges allow UK's first free-roaming herd to wander further than ever
Caption: BY MARK WORGAN Britain’s first free-roaming bison herd is wandering freer than ever before after the construction of two first-of-their-kind ‘bison bridges’. The two new bridges have opened in woodland near Canterbury, allowing the Kent herd to access twice as much habitat. Footage taken this autumn shows the herd crossing the structures for the first time and exploring areas of woodland previously beyond their reach. Heidi Aguirregoicoa, Bison and Conservation Ranger at Kent Wildlife Trust, said: “It’s been fascinating to watch the bison gain confidence with the bridges. At first, they were cautious and their first crossing happened under cover of darkness, but they quickly started using them more regularly. The tracking data and camera traps now show them moving throughout the wider landscape.” The bridges at West Blean and Thornden Woods have increased the area available to the animals from 50 to 100 hectares. The expansion is expected to allow the bison to have a greater impact on the ancient woodland through their natural behaviours, helping create a more varied landscape that supports biodiversity and improves the woodland's resilience to climate change. The structures are the latest development in Kent Wildlife Trust's Wilder Blean project, which aims to restore natural processes across the landscape. A further two bridges are planned, which would eventually increase the area accessible to the herd to 200 hectares. The animals initially took time to build up confidence using the new bridges, with their first crossing taking place under cover of darkness. Video footage recorded by Heidi captured the herd's first journey across the structures. Tracking data and camera traps have since shown the animals becoming increasingly confident, with the bison now regularly moving through and exploring the expanded woodland. The herd was introduced to West Blean and Thornden Woods in 2022 as part of the Blean Bison Project, a partnership between Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust. European bison are known as 'ecosystem engineers' because their natural behaviours can change the structure of their surroundings. By browsing, grazing, felling trees, trampling vegetation and creating standing deadwood, the animals help develop a constantly changing patchwork of habitats that can support a wider variety of wildlife. “We’re already seeing the impact of giving them access to this new area. Fresh paths are appearing through dense vegetation, bark is being stripped from trees and their dung is enriching the soil and supporting insect life,” Heidi adds. “These are all natural processes that happen simply because the bison are being bison, and we’re now seeing them begin to transform a much larger area of habitat and create the conditions for many other species to thrive.” The bridges have been designed to accommodate both visitors and bison, with people able to cross above while the animals pass underneath. Visitors can also use the bridges as viewing points, including a viewing hide offering the opportunity to watch the herd moving freely through the woodland. Caroline Schwaller MBE, chair of the Veolia Environmental Trust, added: “The Veolia Environmental Trust was pleased to support this project because of its biodiversity and social importance. Our grant will help reduce the need for human intervention and management of the woodland, reducing the need for heavy plant or machinery and the associated emissions. The project also uses renewable energy through solar panels and improves public walking routes, providing benefits for both nature and people.” The £1 million project has been funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, National Highways Environment and Wellbeing Designated Fund, through the Network for Nature programme, The Michael Uren Foundation, Veolia Environmental Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation and private donors.
Keywords: feature,photo,bison,wildlife,nature,video
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