Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Bison bulls travel from Scotland to parkland
A wildlife park has welcomed two young bison bulls.
The new arrivals Wildwood, between Canterbury and Herne Bay, come after the death of two popular male bison at the park.
The new additions are 16 months and 19 months old and have come from Highland Wildlife Park in Scotland. They’ve taken up residence in the enclosure once inhabited by duo Haydes and Orsk. The much-loved pair were familiar faces on the national and international stage, having served as ambassadors for the species as part of the Blean Bison Project in neighbouring woodland.
The initiative, in partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust, uses bison to perform the role of ecosystem engineers in place of woodland management. The young bulls will not be released into the wild as part of the project, but it is hoped they will continue the work of their predecessors.
The bison herd, which roams the woodland, recently welcomed the arrival of a new calf just before Christmas.
The new bulls’ enclosure can be found opposite the custombuilt platform which also gives visitors the chance to spot the bison that live in the wild, having been released in the summer of 2022. Hollywood actor Leonardo Dicaprio praised the project in
2022 shortly after it was implemented. Wildwood’s director of zoological operations Mark Habben said: “We have a long history of bison at Wildwood.
“Our elderly gentlemen, Haydes and Orsk, are sadly no longer with us but they were instrumental in helping educate and raise awareness about the Bison Blean Project.
“In the early days, there was
rarely a news article or broadcast about the initiative that didn’t feature their faces. “We know our two new arrivals will pick up the baton where they left off and we are so excited for our loyal members and visitors to see them at the park.”
The pair arrived on Wednesday (February 28) and are “already making themselves at home”.
Wildwood's bison can be adopted online here or at the park.
Keeper Donovan Wright said: “These bison have really lovely temperaments.
“It’s been wonderful to watch them grazing and exploring their new environment. “The matriarch in the Blean came from Highland Wildlife Park so I kept thinking if they were just a fraction of what she is they were going to be spectacular.
“It’s a privilege to have them.”
‘It’s been wonderful to watch them exploring their new environment...’