The UK celebrated the first birthday of the first bison calf born in the wild in thousands of years. This surprise birth occurred in Blean, near Canterbury, Kent, as part of a rewilding project. The calf, born to one of two young females introduced to the project, now belongs to a five-strong herd responsible for natural woodland management in the area. Plans for the project’s final phase involve creating crossing points to expand the herd’s range to an area four times its current size. The bison calf has matured over the year, with its horns growing and its coat transitioning from light brown to the dark, coarse coat of an adult.
Head bison ranger Tom Gibbs made the unexpected discovery of the calf’s birth in September 2022 shortly after the arrival of two young females from Ireland and an older matriarch from Scotland. With the later addition of a male from Germany in December 2022, the herd, along with other animals like Exmoor ponies, Iron Age pigs, and Longhorn cattle, has played a vital role in clearing overgrowth and facilitating the growth of native plants, benefitting the local ecosystem and other wildlife.
The Wilder Blean Initiative, a collaboration between the Kent Wildlife Trust, Wildwood Trust, Woodland Trust, and the RSPB, received £100,000 in funding from Rewilding Britain to support this impactful rewilding effort.
Canterbury: Blean bison calf born at rewilding project turns one – BBC News