Overview

A bison calf has been born in the U.K. for the first time in six millennia. The happy surprise was discovered by two rangers in Kent woodland, where three female bison — none of which were known to be pregnant — were introduced in July as part of a groundbreaking rewilding project.

The science and other stuff to know

Bison roamed the U.K. until around 6,000 years ago, but it’s thought they were hunted to extinction. Thankfully, the Wilder Blean Project is helping to reintroduce them into the Kent woodlands to help nature thrive. The initiative started with three female bison, which were brought from wildlife parks in Scotland and Ireland, and the new arrival is something of a surprise.

Forest rangers Tom Gibbs and Donovan Wright, who spotted the birth of baby bison, described it as “unexpected” since bison don’t display obvious signs of pregnancy. “It is difficult to detect pregnancy in bison as they naturally conceal being in calf to avoid being hunted by predators,” Gibbs said, in a press release. “It is a survival mechanism. Though it was a surprise to see that the younger female bison had given birth, it was always a possibility.”

Bison are considered “natural woodland managers”. The shaggy-haired animals, which have been described as “woolly bulldozers,” are seen as ecosystem engineers and climate heroes. As they roam, they trample trees and shrubs, allowing light in through the woodland canopy, creating space for other plants to grow, and transporting seeds around the woods in their woolly coats.

So what?

Frolicking and gamboling in the forest, the female bison calf appears full of joy, quite unaware of her place in history. “This is now an incredibly important time for this family of eco-system engineers,” Gibbs said.

It is hoped the presence of bison in Kent woodland, alongside wild horses and Iron-Age pigs will transform the woods into a lush, thriving, biodiverse environment once more.

What’s next?

A bull is due to be introduced to the female bison, and it’s hoped they will breed and start a new herd in the wild. The animals currently have 50 hectares (125 acres) of land to roam, but this will be increased as the project progresses.

In the U.S., there are similar projects aiming to restore bison in the wild.