Bridges open up woodland to roaming bison

Bridges have opened in woodland near Canterbury, doubling the area available to a herd of free-roaming European bison in Kent.

The two crossings, in West Blean and Thornden Woods, allow the animals to access an additional 50 hectares of habitat, increasing their roaming area to 100 hectares.

Kent Wildlife Trust said camera footage had captured the herd using the bridges for the first time as they began exploring areas of woodland that were previously inaccessible to them.

European bison were introduced to the woodland in 2022 as part of a project involving Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust.

Bison are considered to be "ecosystem engineers" because their natural behaviour, such as browsing, grazing, felling trees and trampling vegetation, helps to create habitats for other plants and animals.

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."

Rangers were already seeing their impact on the woodland, she added.

"Fresh paths are appearing through dense vegetation, bark is being stripped from trees and their dung is enriching the soil and supporting insect life," she said.

Two further bison bridges are planned as part of the wider project.

Kent Wildlife Trust said these would eventually expand the habitat available to the herd to 200 hectares.

The bridges have been designed to allow visitors to cross above while the bison can pass beneath.

People can stand on the bridges and look through the viewing hides for the chance to see the bison, rangers said.

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