Comments on: Wild bison to return to UK for first time in 6,000 years

By: Gavin Longmuir

Gavin Longmuir — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 15:47:21 +0000

From the Article: “The project, funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery Dream Fund, will cover 500 hectares (1,236 acres), with the bison first placed in a 150-hectare area where there are no right-of-way footpaths. This will provide plenty of space for them, even as the herd grows, according to Smith, and normal cattle fencing is sufficient to stop them wandering further afield.”

Hmmm! In my part of the world, cattle fencing is more or a reminder to the animals than a barrier; fortunately, many cattle are bred for docility as well as their meat & milk. A bull bison which weighs 3 tons is going to go where it wants. And ~400 acres is nothing!

The interesting part will be the genetic abnormalities which arise from breeding such a small population (1 male, 3 females). If this project lasts for enough generations, it may tell us something new.

By: Grasspunk

Grasspunk — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 13:19:35 +0000

They’ll test these bison for brucellosis, leucosis and tuberculosis for sure and likely a bunch more given how they’ll get plenty of attention from the media, general public and nearby farmers.They’ll need that just to get in the country. The fun is going to be in handling these guys once they’ve been wild for a while and you need to retest them.

In these sorts of climates a big enough herd of ruminants will create a grassland. Take them away and you get a woodland. I’m not in the UK but here in France if I leave a pasture alone for a few years I will get an oak forest. I’ve already got an ex-vineyard well on the way.

By: Bob Sykes

Bob Sykes — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 12:43:11 +0000

I apologize for too many posts.

Open woodland is really a function of climate, meaning specifically a relatively dry climate that favors grasses over trees. The UK’s climate is not conducive to open woodland.

This looks like yet another environmentalist boondoggle, based on romanticized superstition. This used to be a Germany specialty.

By: Bob Sykes

Bob Sykes — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 12:36:11 +0000

Herbivores like white tailed deer and bison will destroy a woodland if they are not culled. The UK will have to introduce regular hunting of the herd.

By the way, in Yellowstone some American bison carry brucellosis, which can infect beef cattle. That is yet another management problem.

Wolves help in Yellowstone, although they tend spread out of the park. There are wild wolves in eastern Germany. They might help with the bison, but they might find sheep and dairy cattle easier.