Born to be Wild: Blean welcomes third generation of wild bison in three years

The Blean Bison project in Kent is celebrating the birth of a new calf, marking the arrival of the third generation of wild European bison since the herd’s release in Canterbury in 2022.

Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust - the two charities leading this award-winning wilding initiative - confirmed the female calf was born in West Blean and Thornden Woods. In total, five calves have now been born in the ancient woodland.

Introduced to boost biodiversity and build climate resilience in the Blean, the bison are playing a vital role in restoring the woodland. As ‘ecosystem engineers’, bison transform the landscape: stripping bark to create standing deadwood that attracts insects and birds, carving out corridors through dense woodland to bring sunlight to the forest floor, and creating dustbathing sites that become rich habitats for amphibians and invertebrates. 

Heidi Aguirregoicoa, Bison Ranger at Kent Wildlife Trust, said: “Welcoming this calf is another milestone, not only for the Blean Bison project but for conservation in the UK. Every new generation strengthens the herd’s role as ecosystem engineers, shaping the woodland and creating habitats for countless other species. Seeing these animals thrive in the Blean shows just how powerful wilding can be in restoring balance to nature and building resilience against climate change.”

The latest calf is genetically important, contributing to the European breeding programme and helping to secure the future of this iconic species.

Mark Habben, Director of Zoo Operations at Wildwood Trust, said:

“From the very beginning, what we always imagined for this project was something much larger than what happens here alone. Its early success has been nothing short of groundbreaking, and the birth of a third-generation calf within this herd is living proof of that progress. 

“Our hope is that bison from here - carrying the incredible genetics we see thriving - will eventually establish new herds and begin shaping comparable landscapes across the UK. In that way, the work started here can ripple outward, restoring ecosystems, renewing connections to the land, and inspiring a vision of what’s possible far beyond this one place.”

Currently roaming across 50 hectares, the expanded herd will soon be able to access 200 hectares of woodland thanks to the UK’s first-ever bison bridges. These crossings will allow the bison to safely expand their range while protecting the network of public footpaths criss-crossing the site.

Kent Wildlife Trust continues to raise vital funds to support the long-term success of the Blean Bison project, including through the Bison Benefactor scheme, which invites supporters to sponsor a bison. More information can be found on the Kent Wildlife Trust website.