The majestic large herbivores were introduced to boost biodiversity and make the landscape more resilient to climate change, carrying out important ‘bison business’ debarking trees, dustbathing, bringing light to the forest floor and creating habitats for birds, insects, fauna and flora.

These creatures have also attracted a lot of public attention, with people keen to know what they are like, where they came from and whether they have names. Well, you have come to the right place – read on to learn the story behind each of these ecosystem engineers.

The Matriarch (founding herd member)

The Matriarch is the pillar of the group, keeping order and helping to guide the others. She is called the Matriarch, as the herd are not given individual nicknames and is the eldest at 20 years old. She came from Highlands Wildlife Park in Scotland and since day one she has confidently commanded the herd.

On 18^th July 2022, this calm leader encouraged her two fellow bison to slowly walk from the corral area in front of the world’s media as they were released into Blean Woods. Taking the first few steps, she looked straight at the onlookers, assessing the situation, before signalling to the others it was safe to leave the confines of their enclosure. As cameras clicked, she led her herd out of sight into the forest where they began their wilding journey.

She has led the herd in exploring the woodland and gave birth to a male calf in winter 2023. She is a fantastic mother to the calf, standing quietly while he feeds and protecting him if she perceives a threat.

The Bull

This magnificent example of a European bison arrived from Germany in December 2022, on the eve of Christmas Eve (23^rd December)! When transported to the site, he was accompanied by torrential rain and did not wish to leave the warmth of his straw-filled trailer. In fact, it took several hours for him to decide it was time to get up and into the corral area.

When he did step down the ramp, the rest of the bison herd who had caught his scent were waiting. They sniffed and greeted before heading into Blean Woods like they had been friends for years!

The Bull, who is now six, was keen to explore, and he got to work straight away. Rangers observed he covered far more of the woodland in just a few days than the rest of the herd had done in months, so it’s fair to say he is an inquisitive chap.

He is a genetically important bison, so rangers are delighted that he has successfully sired three calves since he was released.

Female One (founding herd member)

Female One is from Fota Wildlife Park, Ireland and is six years old. She only has one horn, but she certainly makes up for it by using her remaining horn with sheer precision and gusto.

She is lowest in the pecking order of the adult bison, but she is also very inquisitive and often the first to come and investigate anything new in the woodland.

When the first calf was born in the woodland, rather than attempt to stamp her status as no longer the lowest in the hierarchy, she instead took on the role of ‘doting aunty’ and was often observed with the youngster, showing her the ropes to Wilder Blean life, gently sparring with her and helping her pick up on bison behaviours.

As time moved on, she welcomed her own calf, a female in autumn 2024 and has proven to be an exemplary mother.

Female Two (founding herd member)

She is the second of the two females from Fota Wildlife Park, Ireland and also six years old. This sassy bison, who arrived in July 2022, was the first to produce a calf in the Blean and surprised the project team when she unexpectedly gave birth in late summer 2022.

The moment was described as “the buy-one-get-one-free deal of the century” as bison tend to conceal their pregnancy to prevent being targeted by predators. Despite the calf being her first, Female Two has proven to be an excellent mother, learning how to feed and care for the youngster with the support of her herd and has since given birth to a second calf in the Blean which is also thriving.

She is bolder than Female One, often pushing her one-horned companion on if she spies a bit of food she would like to have for herself and is potentially in succession for the role of matriarch.

Calf One

She was the first calf to be born in the Blean in the summer of 2022 and it is fair to say her arrival was a surprise. Her mother, Female Two, had only arrived in the Blean a few months before, so rangers had not had the time to build up a picture of how the herd looked and behaved – and, whilst it was noted her mother could have possibly been in calf, the signs (such as swollen udders) are similar to a bison being on heat so at that stage in the project, the birth was not expected.

Rangers will not confirm nor deny they have nicknamed this female Lizzy, as her arrival coincided with the sad passing of our monarch Queen Elizabeth, but locals like to go along with this suggestion. Even some media articles have suggested this is the case – however, in terms of day-to-day business, this bison is known as Calf One.

The project team have had the pleasure of watching this ecosystem engineer grow and develop, from watching her learn to dustbathe to playing with the calves that were to follow her, very much taking on the role of big sister.

Calf Two

A genetically significant bison, sired by the bull and from the Matriarch, this male is the first to have been conceived and born in the woodland.

Born in winter 2023, he has grown quickly and now very much looks more bison than calf. He is already showing his strength, play sparring and dustbathing and is quite inquisitive, always exploring and learning.

Rangers are documenting his interactions with the herd, and he is often seen leading his younger half-siblings.

Calf Three and Four

These latest editions to the herd have been sired by the bull and are the offspring of females One and Two. They were born in early autumn just four days apart. Calf Three arrived first from Female Two, and then rangers were delighted to find Calf Four in the woodland, who was from the resident unicorn bison, Female One.

It was particularly heart-warming to see Female One having her own bison calf as she proved such an attentive guardian to Calf One and motherhood has come very naturally to her.

The pair are bold and energetic and love to playfully spar with each other. They are light on their feet and at the stage where they choose to run everywhere rather than walk.

Room to thrive

The herd are currently living in 50 hectares of woodland and they need more space not only so they can thrive, but so they can maximise the impact they have on managing the woodland and boosting biodiversity. To offer them more hectares of the site, bison bridges are being installed; these structures will allow the bison to pass underneath as visitors to the woodland walk over the bridge.

Once installed the bridges will allow the bison free roam of 200 hectares of Blean Woods. If people would like to support the project and the steps being taken at Blean to increase the space available, they can become a bison benefactor.