Wild Bison Reintroduction UK Welfare

European bison have been reintroduced to the UK for the first time in thousands of years, with welfare monitoring central to the success of this pioneering conservation project.

Key Facts

Four European bison were introduced to Blean Woods, Kent in 2022 in a historic UK reintroduction
The project aims to use bison as ecosystem engineers to open woodland and create habitat diversity
Individual animals are monitored for health, behaviour and habitat use following release
European bison are classified as vulnerable globally with around 7,000 animals in managed populations
Bison grazing, bark stripping and wallowing create diverse woodland structure benefiting dozens of species

Welfare Considerations

European bison reintroduction involves individual welfare monitoring alongside ecosystem restoration. The project represents a new model for rewilding that integrates welfare science with conservation ecology.

What You Can Do

Support the Wilder Blean project and European bison conservation organisations
Follow the Kent Wildlife Trust's updates on the bison reintroduction welfare monitoring
Engage with rewilding projects that integrate individual animal welfare with ecological restoration