Here's How The European Bison Will Transform the UK

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[@markg3025]

The bison in the US keep their distance from humans. The problem arises in National Parks when people get too close for selfies the bison will charge them. The cause of the injury is self stupidity.

[@LeaveCurious]

Yeah its just lacking a bit of common sense.

[@jamessparkman6604]

@@LeaveCurious When those European bison get To the least concern list Why not take a few blood samples from each of them both male and female been re-create the steppe bison So that people can the first time in your life see extinct bovines in the modern era

[@InsoIence]

I remember learning in school as a child in the 90s, how to act around boars. Due to it being so common in Poland of course, but I wouldn't be surprised if kids from southern regions knew even more about wolves and bears. Learning how to deal with nature can easily be introduced into education to reduce risks of stupidity. I remember learning about the European Bison and its status at the time, how teachers were telling us the importance of balance in the ecosystem and food chain, how all depends on everything else. Simple words at first, easy metaphors, animal pictures.

[@jimbaerg1100]

Similar problem with bears, some people will get too close, also some will leave their food or garbage where the bears can get it. 'A fed bear is a dead bear.' If it associates humans with food it will become a problem & maybe injure or kill a human. I have had a few encounters with bears in the mountains west of Calgary. Hiking in a group helps. The noisiness of a group of humans means the bears don't get surprised & attack out of fear. A group looks more formidable so there has never been a bear attack on a group of more than roughly 5.

[@jamessparkman6604]

@@cardboardbox5028 Don’t be a fool

[@bobbuilder3814]

So happy to see the uk being rewilded. Our countryside feels quite sterile

[@nbgoodiscore1303]

Introducing bisons to the U.K. will create a big mess because there ain't no natural predators. If they do that, they will have to introduce wolves too. But there are foxes in the U.K., and wolves are known for killing foxes due to competition over resources. Foxes or other species could go extinct in the U.K. depending on how they adapt to the new food chain. Do not forget that foxes are hunted by rich people in the U.K. just for giggles.

[@LeaveCurious]

It really does, a few moe bison would help.

[@LeaveCurious]

yes very valid points. must consider this for the long term.

[@Brodie-dj8hf]

You have the amount of protected predators to thank for that. In 50 years time we’ll have nothing but trees, buzzards and badgers running about.

[@Brodie-dj8hf]

@@nbgoodiscore1303 farmers will simply shoot any released wolf and rightly so. Not enough wild space to sustain a Wolfpack.

[@leolake8964]

I was lucky enough to see a re-wilded Bison on the Danish island of Bornholm at the end of August this year. I was with my two sons and we were completely thrilled to see one in the distance about 150/200 metres doing it’s bison thing deep in woodland. After learning about their reintroduction it was a really memorable and inspiring encounter.

[@LeaveCurious]

That is awesome. A memory you'll have forever.

[@CB-fz3li]

Pleasantly surprised to hear this is happening in England, particularly in the South as opposed to somewhere in the Scottish Highlands.

[@LeaveCurious]

Yeah agreed, nice to have it a little bit closer to myself!

[@scottwhitley3392]

Considering the south of England is one of the most densely populated and built up areas on earth, releasing wild animals doesn’t seem wise as there is very little space for them. The Scottish highlands covers an area 2x the size of wales with a population less than 400k

[@Garner84]

@@scottwhitley3392 These animals take up a very small amount of land, they rarely interact with human environments as they're set up very far away.

[@elaw334]

​@@scottwhitley3392 no more space than the free roaming cattle, ponies and deer herds

[@tikkathreebarrels]

@@elaw334 well that clearly isn't true. These bison are enclosed by fencing. Deer herds do travel miles and miles.

[@alainbaatjies5943]

Huge fan of your passion and love for Nature. Greetings from South Africa. Love seeing European wildlife...extremely majestic animals.

[@LeaveCurious]

Cheers Alain, I'm also excited to see South African animals too!

[@jamessparkman6604]

@@LeaveCurious I admire your love nature And you can tell the next nature Hater that policeman or no policeman if they annoy you in any way you can box their ears

[@Kkkkkkkkkkkkkk934]

All that hard work we have put into bringing Żubr back has finally paid off. ❤ let them roam around Europe once again!

[@paleowhite8027]

What is a shame is that like the two American bison subspecies (plains and wood) that have size and other differences, there were subspecies of European that were lost to extinction. It seems that were huge size differences in these subspecies of European. The European bison that are still with us are from a pretty small gene pool that was left when they almost went extinct. It is sad that all those gene types were lost. There were small differences between these European subspecies and some were perhaps larger than the American.

[@LeaveCurious]

Hmm this true, I'm just pleased that we still have them and they're returning

[@deinsilverdrac8695]

Actually they're downgraded to ecotype/distinct population. auroch/cow, yak, european wisent and american bison are now considered as all being i the same Genus, Bos so european and american bison are the same species, just distinct subspecies (Bos bison bonasus and Bos bison bison). Which mean that american bison is a subspecies and that wood/plain bison are not subspecies but ecotype or distinct population. It's kind of dumb knowing that american bison are more closely related to yak, while european wisent are more related to auroch/cattle. meaning that yak should be considered as "mountain/tibetan/himalayan bison" in that case. So it doesn't make a lot of sense compared to the previous classification.

[@egorm5313]

​@@deinsilverdrac8695Hmm, I've never heard of the reclassification of bison into the genus Bos, I don't know about you, but in my country, the bison genus is still valid, and how can a bison(American bison) be closer to a yak than to A zubr (European bison) If the common ancestor of the European and American bison is known for sure and probably existed later than the common ancestor of the bison and the yak and the kstate about the Caucasian bison, it is certainly extinct, but the population that now lives in the Caucasus are its direct descendants, although they are still considered only a population, although someone suggests that they should be separated into the subspecies Mountain bison.

[@deinsilverdrac8695]

@@egorm5313 It's a recent studies, maybe even controversial. so it's normal most don't use that, because they're either older source or didn't had the time to adapt to the new nomenclature. Bison is, with this studies, only a Subgenus. And yes American bison are genetically closer to yak, than to wisent, depending on the studies, (it's messy) and you should now that superficial ressemblance don't mean that two species are closely related, that's basic knowledge. Also en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_bison#Evolution the caucasian wisent is extinct it was a subspecies of european wisent and only one individual remained and was included in some individual of modern wisent. so today we have pure carpatian wisent and hybrid wisent with some caucasus dna. as for the bison in caucasus now there's 2 herd 1, a hybrid american bison and hybrid wisent (unnoficially nicknamed Bison montanus) 2, a hybrid wisent herd and now to say that mountain bison are a distinct subspecies or species is stupid. they're only bhybrid between two species

[@ozziesfantasticanimals4455]

I love bison .

[@LeaveCurious]

That was fast! They're awesome aren't they!

[@cutwithaknife5718]

Me too.

[@mylesbartunek5920]

So I am from South Dakota, USA and we used to have millions of bison roaming the plains. It is a similar problem here. We killed millions of them back in the day and it has decimated our ecosystem. They do a lot for native plants and animals. They are a keystone species. We luckily here have quite a big herd in Custer State Park. It is way cool driving by and seeing how massive Bison are. Granted it is a slightly different species from the ones in Europe. There are facilities that are trying to rehabilitate the population here as well. Again in the plains 200+ years ago there millions of them all over. It is one reason why america has less wolves and predators that preyed on these animals. If there prey is gone then they have nothing to eat. I'm really glad we are making up for the mistakes of our past and rewilding nature.

[@LeaveCurious]

Yeah i agree, we should feel obliged to re-write how we've treated the megafauna of the past

[@chrismccartney8668]

You could add the semi wild Chillington White Cattle as they are self managing..

[@PaulCoxC]

Super excited about this project, really looking forward to some more results from it

[@LeaveCurious]

Me too, think its going to be very impressive.

[@nbgoodiscore1303]

Introducing bisons to the U.K. will create a big mess because there ain't no natural predators. If they do that, they will have to introduce wolves too. But there are foxes in the U.K., and wolves are known for killing foxes due to competition over resources. Foxes or other species could go extinct in the U.K. depending on how they adapt to the new food chain. Do not forget that foxes are hunted by rich people in the U.K. just for giggles.

[@ronward3949]

Native Perennial grasslands were major focus for North American Bison who utilized winter and summer ranges with migratory routes that were generationally taught and used by others.

[@nigelmiles6575]

We are a new Earth Protectorship Community in and around Camborne in west Cornwall....bring them back here. Historically they have been linked to our region biogeographically in this part of the Palearctic bio region. Excellent little video, well done 10/10!!!!

[@liambrannelly45]

Of course we have to thank human stupidity for these magnificent creatures' near extinction. But it also warms my heart to know that kind, hard-working people are doing their best to protect these animals, as well as the rest of nature! Gives me hope. May we see many more generations of these magnificent animals roam the European wilds!!

[@LeaveCurious]

Agreed Liam. Lets keep fighting the good fight

[@Yaboijack]

I can imagine people would love to go see them if they get the opportunity, I would.

[@LeaveCurious]

They're under pretty wraps at the minute, however I believe they do have some at the wildwood trust nearby which you can see.

[@Yaboijack]

@@LeaveCurious oh aye, I imagined so haha, would be too risky letting the public near them

[@Yaboijack]

Can imagine it might mess things up a bit if they get spooked or people try feeding them

[@robertclarke7848]

I live about 5km from Fota wildlife park in Cork, I didn't realise they contributed 2 of the bison. Such cool news

[@LeaveCurious]

Awesome! Think they've got a few more there, be good to see!

[@simonbarrow479]

Great project and I hope it’s successful. I wonder what the plan is when that time comes. Just remove the fences around this project and let them go? Would be great to see but it’s more difficult to hide a bison in the countryside compared to the thousands of deer that are already there.

[@LeaveCurious]

Interesting question Simon, I'd like to think that's what they'd do, but the bison without proper fencing will get where they want to.

[@arthuredeson3824]

I'd imagine that the next step would be to introduce more bison to other UK woodlands and nature reserves. I'm not an expert but as cool as it would be, I don't think it would be a brilliant idea to just let the Bison roam free any time soon. The current mostly agricultural British landscape probably wouldn't be able to support the Bison while maintaining farming productivity. But who knows, perhaps if re-wilding properly gains traction in Britain, there may be a day when Bison and others will be able to roam free over large areas of Britain.

[@incorectulpolitic]

Make sure to visit some forests when wolves and other predators are reintroduced. They gonna love eating you alive. and you will probably not love it.

[@simonbarrow479]

@@incorectulpolitic I have always found European attitudes to large predators curious. We want to visit Africa to see lions roaming free but don’t give a thought for the locals that live with them. Same with leopards in India, panthers in S America and mountain lions in N America. Wolves already live in N America without issue, and there is a population in many parts of Europe without issue. They’re definitely not eating humans.

[@incorectulpolitic]

@@simonbarrow479 well, you can think that if you want.

[@promontorium]

There have been bison in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco since the 1800s. As settled as England is, the whole country isn't San Francisco dense. It's not that crazy an introduction.

[@magdalenasteplewski3963]

I have Bison in my local woods literally. The main thing is to keep safe distance about 50 m at least. Do not make noises and slowly retreat away. They need lots of peace and silence.

[@ligurian728]

As to what would one do if confronted, I can say having been charged by a bison, it helps one focus one's priorities. I didn't know I could move that fast.

[@cjp592]

Excellent U.K. this is what I like to see. Fan from USA. 🇬🇧😊

[@tonysheerness2427]

Now we need wolves and bears back.

[@LeaveCurious]

Would be interesting, it have to be within a large enclosure at the moment.

[@tonysheerness2427]

@Tom Benson Because man should not take everything he has to coexist with other creatures.

[@jamesatherton6231]

@Tom Benson wolves used to live in the UK. It's their ancestral hope just like us

[@tonysheerness2427]

@@jamesatherton6231 So did bears

[@huskytail]

@Tom Benson you think people don't enjoy the country side in Northern, Eastern and Southern Europe with bears and wolfs around? 😁 The wolf is even back in the Benelux - an incredibly densely populated part of Europe and nobody has stopped enjoying the country side 😋

[@47thSteelLegion]

I hope this is just the start of something incredible!!!

[@LeaveCurious]

I think this project will be very successful!

[@wolfenstein6676]

It's the start of something incredible alright, Tim, it's called 'United Nations Agenda 21'. Rewilding is one of the cover names for this legislation, a.k.a. the elevation of nature above mankind. Research it and learn the truth.

[@claireandersongrahamkeller2744]

In 61 days now, I am moving to The UK, as Dual US/UK citizen, to bring this regeneratively to life, across all the isles. I design Regenerative Farming Communities, so we can all flourish with real food, healthy ecosystems, mature trees, rich nourishing soils, curving rivers, riparian riches, and a 7-layer food forest, inc. bison, chickens, sheep, and all the animals meant for food production, but never meant for the deadly, poisonous industrial sense of production. We are stewards. We are Nature. We are back! Aloha, Claire, moving from Maui to Scotland, and happy to make your acquaintance.

[@apurbadebnath3929]

Hey, noticing subscribers are increasing here,also views are increasing. Congratulations. Always wondered why britishers are so much not concerned about nature and rewilding and channels like yours i mean specially you. But seems like you and your channel have come a long way. Proud moment really.

[@LeaveCurious]

Hey thank you! I appreciate that, the channel is growing and these stories are reaching more people.

[@apurbadebnath3929]

@@LeaveCurious yeah go brother and "do not "stop until you get the wolves roaming the scottish highland again. May your cabal grow exponentially and hope UK becomes a real wild paradise forever.

[@fartlivion9279]

I’ve been in Poland and seen some of the bison there. It was incredible!

[@LeaveCurious]

Ahhh I would love to!

[@ronward3949]

Native bees may land in the poop, drawing nutrients, possible salts, by feeding on this materials for minerals. Wallowing opens up the underlying soils, by doing so they glean possible salt licks, remove parasites, escape from flies, and open niches for other seeds.

[@LeaveCurious]

Thanks for all the additional information Ron!

[@sarban1653]

Fun fact: The native English word for the bison is 'wesend' (closely related to the German 'Wisent').

[@LeaveCurious]

That is a fun fact - I enjoy saying wisent

[@nbgoodiscore1303]

Introducing bisons to the U.K. will create a big mess because there ain't no natural predators. If they do that, they will have to introduce wolves too. But there are foxes in the U.K., and wolves are known for killing foxes due to competition over resources. Foxes or other species could go extinct in the U.K. depending on how they adapt to the new food chain. Do not forget that foxes are hunted by rich people in the U.K. just for giggles.

[@rafosier]

Humans are a natural predator. Plus the meat will be organic, and tasty. A serious comment, not taking the piss.

[@sarban1653]

@@nbgoodiscore1303 In the US, we manually cull bison each year due to their ever increasing numbers inside a limited park space. Despite them getting culled on an annual basis, their population continues to steadily increase by 10-17%. They were recommended to kill 500+ this year in Yellowstone NP, but only killed 50. Wonder how this will bode for the future. Wolves kill bigger prey like deer. They won't affect the bison, but they'll help against deer. Foxes can settle for anything, they're not that much bigger than cats. They literally thrive in London. If they can live alongside people in a heavily urban setting, I think they can also share a habitat with a couple of wolves.

[@nbgoodiscore1303]

@@sarban1653 Most people I know would want to pet a fox or take pictures of it. I cannot say the same thing about wolves if a fox happened to enter their territory to steal some food.

[@Tom_Samad]

I had always associated bison with America and Canada - but never Britain! It's great knowing that they have finally been re-introduced to the UK. Also i think ecological engineering should seriously be considered in different areas of the world instead of geo engineering.

[@LeaveCurious]

Its early days, but a good start!

[@jamessparkman6604]

@@LeaveCurious They’re called European bison and for a good reason because they’re needed to Europe not America think about that the next time you go to the prairie states

[@coondogsoutdooradventures2484]

I'm a extremely passionate conservationist from the US and I'm really happy to see this. IDK how the European bison's temperament is, but the North American buffalo is very dangerous. People that don't keep thier distance and do ignorant things get injured or killed every year in the parks. I'm so blessed for you!

[@sebastianconrad6142]

Thank you for raising awareness of this amazing project 🌱👍🏼

[@LeaveCurious]

You're welcome, thanks for commentint!

[@zofian7190]

And to think that right after the First World War there were only nine surviving European Bison in the world. And after the Second World War, sixteen. Today, the bison, like no other species, is a symbol of the success of Polish nature conservation. It was Poles who, thanks to international cooperation and joint efforts, managed to restore bison not only in the Białowieża Forest, but also in other places in Poland and Europe. Now the European Bison are returning to Great Britain. This is an extraordinary story in which man condemned a species to extinction, but managed to save it at the last moment and repair the damage done to the environment.

[@user-ct2ly1he1p]

One thing that they are going to change is the way a bunch of fences are built. If they are anything like their North American cousins there's not any fence that will really stop them from leaving a area when they decide to.

[@ronward3949]

Heavy jaws and strength of animal browses with prowess, often pulling up shorter rooted plants, young seedlings, sprouting trees, so herbivores utilizing various food sources.

[@eliletts8149]

They should have a 4th test area that has bison, longhorned cattle, Exmoor ponies, and the iron-aged pigs too...

[@LeaveCurious]

Oh I reckon it would have to be a pretty large area, but very interesting to see!

[@eliletts8149]

@@LeaveCurious yep! Indeed!

[@jasonking6892]

Money well spent ..more of this please..Good luck👍🇬🇧

[@WildlifeWithCookie]

Quality as always

[@LeaveCurious]

Nice one cookie!

[@partidaportet27]

I hope you keep us all updated. Thanks

[@LeaveCurious]

Oh 100% - I couldn't get permission to actually enter the enclosure to see the Bison. Hopefully once they're settled, this may be possibility.

[@kevinheath7588]

I would love to see bears and wolves free in the countryside...it would really make a great addition to our country and help with tourism.

[@LeaveCurious]

I agree, lynx first, then wolves and then possibly bears.

[@Krzysiex7pl]

I am from Poland and Bisons are more common here, as it's here, that European Bison was saved. Actually my let's say sister in law has a weekend house near Białowieski National Park and for her it's normal to see Bison herds through the fence of her property. You are not really scared of them, as you just know they are there and you just keep your distance (it's nearly impossible to bump on them without earlier notice). They are not really a threat to farmers living there as well, as during the winter they are being fed by Park guards, so that they don't look for the food outside of forest. People are not scared by them in Poland, we are marvelled by their might.

[@LeaveCurious]

Sounds like you’re living well with them - perhaps UK can learn from Poland!

[@Krzysiex7pl]

@@LeaveCurious they are just becoming something normal. I think, that European Bison (żubr in Polish) being Polish pride also helps. It was in Białowieża, that the bison survived, so we made it Polish ecology sign

[@WayneEvans-qw8yq]

I’d love to see a bison living semi wild

[@gillgoode7470]

Glad the project includes a comparison with cattle. Will be interesting to see if bison have any different effects to the cattle on the woodland.

[@davidsivills3599]

So many places in the UK feel sterile of any life,you see miles of empty fields with no wildlife.I hope farmers in the UK diversify into doing more rewilding on their land.The UK could be teaming with wildlife within 20 years or so.

[@francesscully1071]

Wonderful and so glad that you are so enthusiastic.

[@coltonross5414]

I grew up on the Canadian Prairie and our neighbours raised Bison, so I had the rare opportunity to grow up seeing Bison almost daily. My ancestors came from Kent, so I'm very excited to see Bison return to that part of the UK.

[@LeaveCurious]

Ah thats awesome! Thank you!

[@thehairywoodsman5644]

HOWDY from Texas ! I subbed , I'll never visit the UK , but I'm all for rewilding the world.

[@LeaveCurious]

howdy! why never? its got a lot to offer!

[@Konoronn]

American moment.

[@spookyduzit]

Keep up the good work and videos

[@LeaveCurious]

Thank you, I will!

[@matthewdavies5875]

Great video. I look forward to learning more and visiting there next time I am back in the UK.

[@LeaveCurious]

Cheers Matt! Yeah likely by that time, they'll have all the grazing animals in!

[@ronward3949]

Woodland habitats, open water sources, edge cover and known to be wintering grounds, certain areas meant less snows to deal with and sheltered habitat.

[@MM-mq5uj]

Lovely project, lookinf forward for the results!

[@LeaveCurious]

Me too :) ill keep you posted.

[@darklordfalcon3670]

I am a former student doing animal management abd ining for a university degree in animal conservation and I would love to work with major projects to help strengthen this land like it once was and I believe that the lynx will need introducing after everything is fully up to date and checked out and build a better habitat like as in the wild

[@LeaveCurious]

That’s awesome, well done! Keep up the hard work and I’m sure you’ll be part of something important - see what Ecology Training can offer you, if you sent a email ask about your interests they might be able to help.

[@alisav8394]

The thing I love the most about my local forest is the fact that I feel completely safe hiking alone knowing all big, potentialy dangerous animals have been driven away decades ago. I'm not sure I would be for this project if it happened in my local forest. However, maybe with education on what to do if you meet a bison in the wild, I would feel safe again.

[@enbonj5842]

You just don't get close

[@jamessparkman6604]

@@enbonj5842 Yes don’t get too close most sensible thing you have said all day or any day for that matter because from what I hear getting to close has tendencies to cut your life short an American bison European bison will be no different so anyone who seeks annoy these creatures For their own selfish pleasures They should be thrown in jail Until they have learned that they have no business taunting wild animals in the first place

[@jamessparkman6604]

@@enbonj5842 I have a very self or hint about avoiding a stampede would you like to hear it

[@alexanderhensel611]

This statement is so ridiculously small-minded, it kinda makes my head hurt. Like I know this is just a dumb comment on some random KZbin video, but damn. "The thing I love about my local wildlife is that all the wildlife is dead". What gives you the right to decide if animals get to exist somewhere lmfao. How egotistical do you have to be, to believe your comfort has any relevance AT ALL, to if these creatures should exist around you. Get over yourself, the plants and animals on this planet don't exist for your convenience. The things that are terrifying and dangerous and wild, they are what make this planet so damn magical and special, and it's dumbass people like you, who make moronic statements like this, that are destroying the miracles all around us.

[@vinayaksharma8101]

This a very good sign for the land.Large herbivores are sign of divine bounty.

[@DuartedeZ]

Amazing video Rob :D

[@LeaveCurious]

Thanks mate :)

[@rbphilip]

bison are cool. I've encountered herds while on foot in South Dakota and on Catalina Island in California. They are scary large and yes, you do feel threatened. :)

[@AussieAquatic]

Another great video Rob :)

[@LeaveCurious]

Thank you!’ Appreciate it :)

[@AussieAquatic]

@@LeaveCurious I'm predicting big things for your channel :)

[@LeaveCurious]

@@AussieAquatic ahh mate I do hope so, it’s people like you that really get things going, so I appreciate the encouragement and engagement!!

[@Northcountry1926]

Just Brilliant Rob ! Congratulations, A victory for Rewilding 💯‼️

[@LeaveCurious]

A huge step forward for the UK - we have to make sure we build on it!

[@Muiri144]

being afraid or feeling threatened by a bison is the exact thing that can get them killed by humans.

[@johnkeviljr9625]

Reforest and Rewild Scotland !!!! Yes! Great work.

[@carolinejayes157]

Wonderful idea,!of course they will have to be tracked ,and placed in suitable areas,and monitored.

[@LeaveCurious]

Yes for now the project will ensure all of those :)

[@mamamoo3974]

Brilliant video I really enjoyed it

[@LeaveCurious]

Thank you!

[@jimepp1492]

Careful of what you wish for. They aren't exactly Hedgehogs.

[@djy5645]

Cool channel, definitely got a new watcher! 👍

[@LeaveCurious]

Ah welcome and thank you!

[@LeaveCurious]

Ah welcome and thank you!

[@TenggisKhan]

well done!!

[@LeaveCurious]

:)

[@krat5576]

When I come across a highland cow (used to emulate wild bison where I'm from) I make sure to keep an appropriate distance, so I guess I'd do the same with bison. Maybe I'd be a bit more apprehensive since I am not as familiar with the bison... Like many already have commented however, people will go up to them and they will try to pet them, put their children on them etc, because our species is... Well let's keep it at creative.

[@LeaveCurious]

Yes, respect and a bit of common sense it whats required..

[@shawnohagan5503]

Great video

[@LeaveCurious]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BrokenArrowBison]

Love the content! Great job! 🦬🦬🦬

[@rogersmith8339]

In theory, according to one of its biggest fans, my 270 Winchester should be good enough for these, not to sure about that so I am going to try it on a wild boar first. On a more serious note, they have not been "reintroduced" they are in a glorified theme Park! If they were let run free in the New Forest in properly sustainable numbers, that might count as reintroduction. The problem would be the destruction and damage they would cause and the dangers to the public.

[@LeaveCurious]

Yeah I do understand it’s not a full blown introduction, free roaming, but it still feels worth getting some hype about!

[@muzwot9603]

Superb, love this.

[@LeaveCurious]

Ahh me too, excited to see it play out - cheers

[@jonathanroberts-bj7yl]

Not the same Bison that lived here.

[@andrzejbrzezinski6968]

There are 2820 European bisons( żubrów) in Poland on the end of 2023. 2626 of them live free in the forests all around Poland.

[@jordicl4325]

There is no such initiative in Spain as far as i'm aware, but some cows and bulls scaped from a ranch on my grandpa's town. The problem is that those bulls are the race bred for bullfighting, so they are like a bull supersoldier. 800kg on average of pure muscle, bred for agression and ferocity and they run on packs. they quickly adapted to the wild and are now on being hunted as an invasive species, but after a few years, they are still not erradicated. the reason is that they completely outmatch the deer and boar wildlife, because a single bull can kick the shit out of an entire pack of any local wildlife there is on the country. The iberian wolf has been extinct for many years, so it has no predator aside from hunters. as oposed as with bisons this is not benefitial at all and a danger to anyone that may encounter them while hiking.

[@LeaveCurious]

Yeah interesting, I wonder what the impact would be if there were wolves present... how far away are the nearest wolves?

[@jordicl4325]

@@LeaveCurious ok, just looked it up and it's not actually extinct, just endangered, but that means not enough to make an impact anyways. As for how far are they idk, i just know there are none in that entire habitat. But i don't think wolves would pose a threat to that bull breed anyways, it's too powerful for them to even attempt to attack.

[@loquat44-40]

Wolves were said to follow the former great american bison herds. I doubt also they would attack a healthy animal, but I suspect might go after a very sick one or an unattended calf. For southern europe the correct animal is the extinct aurochs.

[@miriammaldonado7848]

My best wishes beautiful massive bison family! ❤️ 💯 Of course I'll be scared being near them, wouldn't wanna be tossed up in the air 🤣

[@LeaveCurious]

Ahhh haha no not so close they could touch you, but more visible, through the trees, respectable distance

[@quinnmorgendorffer531]

so amazing :) the uk has such rich culture, and these animals are a lost part of it

[@LeaveCurious]

we've lost many animals, opportunities to return them!

[@fion1flatout]

How do I stop my consumerist neighbours complaining to the council? I have a pony in the garden sometimes.. though we have buildings which are 'stables' on the deeds so it's really not pushing it. I'm pretty careful and only seen a rat once in 4 years, but they complain According to them, water runs uphill, the wind is easlerly, we have knotweed (it was bindweed), brambles (coming in from their side) flies (I bring pony here to escape flies) and we poisoned/set our dogs on his cat. He threw mancky grass cuttings over the fence until I threw some back, then he came to my work to complain about me. And on and on. Oh and other rumours spread... Every time the pony changes coat there's a rumour that she's died and I've got another pony. I just don't know what he's going to come up with next. What do I do?

[@LeaveCurious]

Unfortunately we can't always pick our neighbours, so for the most part, ignore it and rise above it - easier said than done. From what you say, they sound difficult, is the pony doing any harm, damage to fences etc? What exactly is the problem?

[@paulmcmullan9931]

Rewilding the UK also should include: beavers, hogs and lynx. If any specie can be restored to its native range it should be.

[@LeaveCurious]

Some brilliant species there - they’d get alot of work done together in a relatively short time!

[@354sd]

Don't forget wolf

[@sirmagnumcat4996]

Beavers already reintroduced in south west England. We do need lynx and, if they want bison to roam freely, wolves back as well.

[@schuletrip]

Now, introduce some Apex predators and we’ll be laughing.

[@LeaveCurious]

Oh yeah for sure... some wont be though.

[@schuletrip]

@@LeaveCurious i would live to see and Hear Wolves howling in our homeland. At least let’s start reintroducing the Lynx.

[@offbeatwithcookie]

this is awesome!

[@LeaveCurious]

Sure is!!

[@leoscheibelhut940]

Wild bison in the US do not seek out human contact, but as the largest herbivore sometimes they don't retreat from humans either. They should not be closely approached! If they feel threatened or annoyed they can easily injure, maim, or even kill a human in just a second by goring, crushing with their head, or trampling. That caution said, they are change creators in the landscape and truly majestic animals!

[@LeaveCurious]

Yeah spot on - they are soooo majestic and deserve a place in the UK

[@ronward3949]

You keep your distance, don not try to separate individuals, observe activities, if calves present do not disturb, males will be imposing so keep your distance and do not present an obstacle to them. Sounds will be heard and may disturb.

[@marianfrances4959]

That's awesome! We've rewilded bison here in Canada as well.👍🇨🇦😎🦬

[@LeaveCurious]

Nice, bet they've gone right out into the wild?

[@hachwarwickshire292]

Yeah great ... but you have the room ! They're going to be living in your garage in Britain. We ain't got the space 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👨‍👩‍👧‍👦......

[@marianfrances4959]

@@LeaveCurious where the breeding program began (I believe) in Saskatchewan, they are fenced but in a very large Boreal area. In the Yukon they are free to roam...

[@unklemunky8992]

You know the main difference between a bison & a buffalo? You can’t wash your hands in a buffalo. Badoomm-tssss.

[@LeaveCurious]

lol, good one

[@Celeste-in-Oz]

It will be interesting to see what happens in the absence of the large predators that also once roamed there. My guess is herbivores will *eventually* get too numerous, start overgrazing.. and there’ll be a hullabaloo about whether to cull, or go ‘full wild’ & bring back wolves etc

[@jaywilliams6250]

If I didn’t know there were bison in the woods and I turned around and saw one I’d shit myself briefly

[@LeaveCurious]

haha, me too, but if know they're there, it wouldnt be so bad

[@thatonedog819]

Treat bison with the respect you should be showing ANY wildlife (from a distance) and you'll be fine.

[@LeaveCurious]

Yep spot on!

[@isaweesaw]

You deserve so many more views than you're getting. And yes, I'd love to see bison in my local green spaces!

[@LeaveCurious]

the channel is growing steady, cheers though Cal! I'd welcome some bison too!

[@SoWhat-bs5fg]

So for the historiy section the lead is that (2:10) Bison extinsion (also in the UK?) was caused by German soldiers... a bit weired

[@daniadejonghe4980]

Good for you guys...!!!!!!

[@LeaveCurious]

Hopefully it all goes well!

[@louislamonte334]

Excellent video as always my friend! Just like the return of the Buffalo here in the States the return of bison, wolves and other keystone species will do nothing but good and benefits!! Have a great day today!!

[@LeaveCurious]

Ah thank you Louis, appreciate it!!

[@indyreno2933]

Lions, buffalo, and antelope are all found only in both Africa and Asia, therefore it is actually misleadingly incorrect to call a puma a mountain lion, misleadingly incorrect to call a bison a buffalo, and misleadingly incorrect to call a pronghorn an antelope, the Puma (Puma concolor) is actually more closely related to cheetahs (genus Acinonyx) and the jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi), bison (genus Bison) are a genus of true cattle (subtribe Bovina) with the closest living relative of both the European Bison (Bison bonasus) and the American Bison (Bison bison) being the Yak (Poephagus grunniens), while buffalo are an entirely distinct subtribe (Bubalina) from the true cattle (subtribe Bovina), and the word "antelope" refers correctly and exclusively to the taxa Tetracerus, Tragelaphini, Hippotraginae, Peleinae, Reduncinae, Antilopinae, Cephalophinae, and Neotraginae of the family Bovidae, while the Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) is the sole extant member of a separate family known as Antilocapridae, which is actually more closely related to giraffids than to bovids, making the giraffes (genus Giraffa), Okapi (Okapia johnstoni), and Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) the only extant members of the broader superfamily Giraffoidea.

[@glenncordova4027]

​@@indyreno2933 Meow! Who pissed in your lemonade?

[@iangpark]

I appreciate the incredible comeback that bison have made in Europe, but please remember that European bison have never occupied the United Kingdom in it's entirety. At best they were once present in the south of England when Doggerland was still above water. As wonderful as they are, this is not rewilding at its best by any means. We need to be incredibly careful which species we bring here.

[@LeaveCurious]

Yes true! We do need to be careful, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't

[@nigelmiles6575]

It is imperative for their own sake to bring teenagers back into the mindset of nature this is our fundamental quest too...then society's views will sky rocket

[@leroybabcock6652]

That is amazing I didn't know this

[@ThW5]

Just read an article about them, trying to find out which European bison line this would be, and it would concerns the Lowland-Caucasian line. (At the start of the project there were two populations with still living individuals, the Lowland subspecies, and the Caucasian subspecies, of which only one good bull (and no cows) contributed to the breeding project, his name was Kaukasus ), so European bisons who are no descendants of Kaukasus are Lowland wisents, the ones who have Kaukasus (but no Americans) among their ancestors are the Lowland-Caucasian line, and then there's the Highland line, which has some American bisons among their ancestors too... Now there might be some people who think that the use of the LC line is most fitting for English bisons, English b... and all, but Western Europe tends to prefer the pure lowlands, outside zoo settings.

[@LeaveCurious]

Hmm very interesting, I'm not too sure to be honest, I'm sure if you spoke to Fota wildlife park where a couple of them came from they might be able to help.

[@ThW5]

@@LeaveCurious Fota is reported as having been the source of Lowland samples in a veterinary article published as , but that had the Aspinall bisons as Lowland-Caucasian, and they seem have to had both bred bisons going to Romania..., The mentioned article was on the BBC site, which used to rather reliable, but it manages to mix-up the original "subspecies" populations with the pure and mixed lines... It's not simple, zoos may keep them mixed in a non-breeding herd, keep herds of both lines (there seem to be just two breeding both lines) or change the line they are keeping/breeding, and sending the last ones of the old line to a rewilding project could be a part of that.

[@Nana18868]

I had no idea that there were German soldiers in Britain during WW1 and that apparently they had time to decimate the local bison population. You learn something new every day…

[@toniwilson6210]

There are plenty of videos from America which show you what not to do around a bison. Just don’t be dumb and everybody will be completely fine.

[@LeaveCurious]

Yep, just don't get too close - there's been some brilliant studies on bison aggression and they conclude they are not aggressive at all, attacks only occur after consistent encroachment from people

[@lakhanclark1607]

Hopefully one day these animals will recover to the point where people can hunt them to fill their freezer for the year. Love venison, wild boar and other wild game, but there is something special about bison meat, not just the taste and health benefits, but also jut by how much meat a single animal produces. It's also a great way to encourage landowners to put bison on their property, as it places a value on the animal, making the landowner want to maintain and protect healthy population of them over the long term, much like many property owners do for deer, boar, and other game species. There used to be millions of these bison all across Europe and parts of Asia minor only a few thousand years ago, so it would be a sight to see them back at their historic numbers. Even though it's hard to image there ever being a problem of too many bison, it will eventually happen as given the space and habitat, bison herds are incredibly fecund, largely because there isn't a lot that can kill a bison after it gets over a year old. Hence, whilst we are also make plans for this species recovery, we also need to make plans well in advance of how we manage populations once they recover, because i honestly think it will happen sooner than you think. Keep up the good work

[@LeaveCurious]

Yeah I do wonder how much wild meat could be harvested if he had wilder, natural grazing systems everywhere. All supplying local areas.

[@lakhanclark1607]

@@LeaveCurious Well a bison bull would yield around at least 300+ kg's of meat each, with the giant bulls yielding half a ton of cuts if your using all the cuts. so even taking 5-10 animals a year out of a herd would have a huge affect on local supply chains. Especially if people were taking livestock off a property to create room for bison, then you could harvest even more animals.

[@MerryMoss]

I would LOVE to work with nature and help out as a career path, I just don't know where to start. In my current financial situation becoming a patron or member isn't possible, but hopefully it can be in the future. Do you have any tips for those with not much to spend money-wise? 🌿

[@LeaveCurious]

Best tip i have, is to get out in your garden or someones garden you know and do some simple things like build a pond, create dead wood piles, allow sections to just completely go wild! Even over the course of a year, you'll see the wildlife coming in!

[@seb447-9]

I'm curious to see how this project will go. I dont imagine people would react well to being near a bison in person. But also the lack of natural preditors as we also wiped out nearly all of bisons natural preditors in the uk

[@LeaveCurious]

Yeah they're certainly massive, but they're not aggressive - its not too dissimilar to some cattle we have roaming many of national parks with footpaths. You just keep your distance. Yes predators are needed, bison or no bison!

[@seb447-9]

@@LeaveCurious I wonder if there's a way to reinstate wolfs or grizzly bears safely without the possibility of them interacting people. I think if that issue is solved it would make the project alot more likely to be carried out over the uk.

[@tredwan291]

@@seb447-9 zero chance of introducing grizzly bears on this tiny little island where the vast majority of people do not own a firearm. Bears have a tendency to wander into towns the British public would have no chance of cohabitating with grizzly bears

[@Jkooowb]

@@tredwan291 Yeah imagine one going near a secondary school or sumit people would treat it like a pigeon or fox and work it up most likely

[@Poonannyish]

I think people in the UK take the tameness of our environment for granted. Its actually quite nice to not have to worry that your kids might be playing in the woods and accidentally come between a several ton wild animal and its offspring. Yeah they're cool to look at, yeah its cool that they can be ecologically beneficial - but I know the English public well enough to know that you nimby's wishing they'd just get rid of the barriers and let them roam free in heavily urbanized Southern England, would be the first ones to throw an effing fit at your local council for letting them break your fences down or trample your dog to death. The places these Bison come from, Poland and Belarus are not tame places, their forests are enormous and their countryside is wild. There are bears, there are wolves, there are big cats. The locals know this and they prepare accordingly when they venture into the woods and Babushkas tell tales of naughty children that don't listen, that venture too far only to be eaten by the creatures of the forest. We have no such cultural preparation. The European Bison numbers are stable, they do not need the forests of Kent to prevent their endangerment. Keep them penned up and GPS tagged by all means but it should simply remain a curiosity. Rewilding is good, but there is such a thing as too wild - Be very very careful what you wish for.

[@LeaveCurious]

I think you’re right to be cautious, the UK needs a lot of work done to educate, prepare people and industries. As always with a reintroduction of a large animal to the UK the hurdles are political/social, rather than environmental. I know with enough time, work and education we will get there.

[@Poonannyish]

@@LeaveCurious Or, you know, we could just not do it? After browsing the comments people have rightly pointed out that the population would explode without natural predation, and the knee-jerk response to this is to introduce wolves to the UK??

[@chrismccartney8668]

I imagine they will make a big difference but not suitable for most of UK with public roads and footpaths more suitable are the exmoor ponies and English Long Horn Cattle as they are more used to man and traffic and Longhorns already roam my local area Epping Forest successfully

[@LeaveCurious]

Yeah, I'm really not sure at this point what a free-roaming bison would look and feel like in the UK.

[@354sd]

Same in Sherwood lovely big creatures