European Bison (Bison bonasus) at Highland Wildlife Park 2008

There are plenty of pure breads over here in Canada. It is not that hard to get a hold of them and Im sure that they would not be that difficult to import as we have disease free herds.

They are so massive, even compared to the plains and european bison. A great place to compare them is in Tallinn. Last I was there they had large groups of all three if my memory stands correct.

European bison

I've always fancied this species for 'rewilding' in the UK, possibly in the New Forest. Anyone have any thoughts on the idea?

Don't think there's any area of forest large enough to sustain bison in this country anymore unfortunately (And certainly not in the New Forest). Even the highlands are under pressure from the number of deer that live there.

European Bison

Zambar -- very valid observation. Any bison rewilding would have to be part of a wider scheme, involving management of habitat and other species, as well as managing the bison stock. Wonderful as deer are, they are not cropped hard enough; we don't eat enough of them, and of course they have no predators in the UK [unless you believe some of the crypto stuff]. I would like to think that at least semi-wild bison in the UK could [maybe should] be a long term goal, like pelicans and sea eagles in the fens. Could one not make a case for replacing cattle in the New Forest [which are not 'special' in the way the ponies are] with equivalent or fewer bison? Admittedly I don't know their habitat requirements [more of a browser than a grazer possibly?] or how dangerous they are in a free ranging setting. We seem to be living alongside wild boar, which reintroduced themselves; admittedly they need less space, but can get a bit nasty.....

The exhibits, specially this one, look a lot like Cabarceno!