How did you prepare Blean woods for the bison's arrival?
Making Blean woods a safe place for animals and visitors
In order to welcome the first wild bison herd to the UK, some preparation had to be undertaken so that both animals and people can enjoy the Blean. Read more below about the reasoning behind these preparations, including putting up fencing and why we needed to remove some trees as part of the project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why have you chosen West Blean and Thornden Woods for this project?
West Blean and Thornden Woods is one of our largest nature reserves. It's an ancient woodland which should be a haven for wildlife. But, because conifer trees were planted historically as a crop, we've needed to use heavy machinery to allow light in. Bison do this naturally - they fell non-native trees, open the canopy and give nature space to recover and thrive.
Did you really need to fence the bison in?
Whilst in other countries only an electric fence is required for bison, UK legislation requires double fencing – we hope this project will demonstrate the need to change these requirements. Until then these fences are designed to be as visually un-intrusive as possible. The bison will have plenty of space to roam freely within this large fenced area.
Why have you removed trees as part of the project?
These trees were planted close together for timber during World War II, creating a closed canopy which stops smaller trees and plants from growing. Removal of these has let more light in and created spaces where the bison can penetrate the woodlands and in future they will do this job for us. Trees were only felled once identified as being of low wildlife value with ecologists supervising works.
Why have some permissive paths been closed?
We want these woods to be a place where people can enjoy the wonder of nature. Only some permissive paths have been closed to reduce disturbance to wildlife and our grazing animals. All public footpaths remain open and many will be improved with better access for wheelchair users, new walks created and more opportunities for people to interact with the woodland.
How did you ensure wildlife impacts were minimised during the work?
As highly experienced conservationists and ecologists, animal welfare is at the heart of everything we do. The project includes a huge wildlife monitoring program which has been undertaken across the site. All contractors were required to adhere to strict guidance on what to do if nesting sites were found and ecologists were present to supervise works.
Can't find the answer to your question?
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