Bison bridges: Kent herd to roam beneath public footpaths

When Europe's heaviest land mammals were introduced into a woodland on the edge of Canterbury, it was hoped they would flourish and make space for other wildlife.

- Patrick Barkham

But the European bison have been so successful in West Blean and Thornden Woods that more space must be made for them - in the form of Britain's first bison bridges.

Four bridges costing a total of £1m are being built in to allow the bison, which are classified as dangerous wild animals in British law, to cross public footpaths in the ancient woods without encountering people.

The hefty grazers - which can weigh up to one tonne - will walk beneath the bridges, with footpaths routed over the top keeping visitors separate while also providing them with a good vantage point to watch the burgeoning bison.

The bison herd was released into the woods near Canterbury in July 2022 in a pioneering restoration project by the Kent Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust. Unknown to the project, one of the three female bison was pregnant and produced a calf. A bull bison from Germany was added and another calf has since been born in the woods, taking the herd to six.