Construction Begins on Bison Bridges in Kent

Construction has commenced on four pedestrian bridges in Kent, UK, designed to facilitate the movement of the country's first wild bison herd in thousands of years while keeping them separate from human visitors. The £1 million project, supported by various funding sources including the National Lottery Heritage Fund, aims to expand the bison's roaming area from 50 hectares to 200 hectares. The bison, introduced in 2022, have thrived, with their population doubling and contributing to local biodiversity. The bridges will allow tourists to safely observe the bison from above, addressing safety concerns since bison are classified as dangerous wild animals under UK law. Conservationists are advocating for changes to rewilding laws to reduce the need for expensive fencing in future projects. Simon Bateman-Brown from Kent Wildlife Trust emphasizes that bison pose no more danger than domestic cattle and hopes to demonstrate the feasibility of more integrated wildlife habitats.