Bison introduced to (1 Viewer)

[Richard D]

In the UK "studies" and "trials" are used as a means of delaying meaningful action, frequently in cases where successful trials elsewhere followed by full scale reintroductions have made further work unnecessary. The usual excuse is the UK I s somehow different from Europe.

In the case at hand there is already UK evidence of European Bison effects on a fenced UK landscape at the scale of this "trial", from the Highland Wildlife Park herd. Nothing to be learned, nothing intended to be learned, just an attempt to get funds by lies about reintroductions.

For conservation organisations to endorse this kind of dishonesty plays into the hands of those who are delaying e.g. beaver reintroductions at full scale across England - now long overdue - studies long completed, benefits known - while silly little fenced compounds for the amusement of the super rich are hailed as reintroductions. It's time for straight talking and elimination - public refutation by the guilty - of BS claims of free roaming Bison.

John

But they haven't lied about the scheme - they've made no suggestion that it's a reintroduction project, merely a habitat management project. Have you seen their web site?

 

[Farnboro John]

But they haven't lied about the scheme - they've made no suggestion that it's a reintroduction project, merely a habitat management project. Have you seen their web site?

What the website says and what the press briefing led to the media reporting are so far apart as to represent different universes and I am waiting for the published refutation.

 

[THE_FERN]

I'd understand this better if you defined "here" and "used to be found".

Well of course I posted that to stir things up. But: Great Britain, specifically England iirc, and I thought pre-pleistocene. However, a quick Google shows it was certainly in Ireland 2.6 M years ago

 

[Richard D]

What the website says and what the press briefing led to the media reporting are so far apart as to represent different universes and I am waiting for the published refutation.

European bison rangers chosen for Kent woodland herd

The European bison will restore a rich habitat for local wildlife when they are introduced in 2022.

www.bbc.co.uk

European bison to be introduced into Kent woodland

The European mammals will restore a rich habitat for local wildlife, conservationists say.

www.bbc.co.uk

Both are clear on them being in a fenced enclosure and why they are being used... I'm not sure you can blame the Trust if less reputable media companies haven't been as clear.

 

[Farnboro John]

European bison rangers chosen for Kent woodland herd

The European bison will restore a rich habitat for local wildlife when they are introduced in 2022.

www.bbc.co.uk

European bison to be introduced into Kent woodland

The European mammals will restore a rich habitat for local wildlife, conservationists say.

www.bbc.co.uk

Both are clear on them being in a fenced enclosure and why they are being used... I'm not sure you can blame the Trust if less reputable media companies haven't been as clear.

Whereas I think using the word "introduced" is misleading. A farmer doesn't introduce a new bull to his field and these Bison are in no sense introduced. If even the BBC - and I note your inability to find more than one source meeting your take on the story - doesn't pick up correctly then there must be something intentionally amiss with the briefing material, unless you are arguing incompetence.

John

 

[Richard D]

Whereas I think using the word "introduced" is misleading. A farmer doesn't introduce a new bull to his field and these Bison are in no sense introduced. If even the BBC - and I note your inability to find more than one source meeting your take on the story - doesn't pick up correctly then there must be something intentionally amiss with the briefing material, unless you are arguing incompetence.

John

I don't follow your logic with introduced - I think it's a perfectly neutral term. E.g. 'We're going to introduce a new ditch management strategy'

In terms of finding only one source, it was purely a lack of effort on my part - I simply chose a large respected media outlet.

I'm sure there is bad reporting out there, but I've found nothing that confirms your allegations that the Trust has been deliberately misrepresenting the project, and certainly everything they have directly published seems very clear and open.

 

[Stuart Goodwin]

Whereas I think using the word "introduced" is misleading. A farmer doesn't introduce a new bull to his field and these Bison are in no sense introduced. If even the BBC - and I note your inability to find more than one source meeting your take on the story - doesn't pick up correctly then there must be something intentionally amiss with the briefing material, unless you are arguing incompetence.

John

Morning.

If you feel that there must be something intentionally amiss, contact the Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust and get corrections and/ or claification for the media.

It may be that phrases have been used, with the best intentions, to convey to the general public what the project is about. Perhaps the media/ communication person/ team haven’t looked at the media output from a different angle (your view perhaps, with no slight or criticism intended) and see that the message could, through no malice or hoodwinking, be misleading. Everyone is always learning.

In the meantime, I hope the Bison are wandering through the Blean having a beneficial impact for the area.

Regards

 

[jurek]

A first step of a journey was made. Whenever a wild animal is brought back to nature, individuals which know only zoo conditions must learn the wild. Younger and brighter ones accept it immediately, others need years and sometimes the process takes a whole generation. I am talking about people accepting beavers, white-tailed eagles, wild boar, bison and lynx. Animals adapt immediately.

 

[angusmcoatup]

First wild bison born in UK for millennia after surprise pregnancy

Exclusive: Unexpected arrival at a pioneering rewilding project in Kent after introduction of animals in July

www.theguardian.com

Guardian still running the “wild” angle.

 

[Farnboro John]

Confinement in confinement fails to produce wild cheers would be a better headline.

John

 

[dantheman]

Confinement in confinement fails to produce wild cheers would be a better headline.

John

You still think they're labouring under a misconception?

;-)

 

[dantheman]

Baby bison born in Kent countryside

The bison is the first to be born wild in the UK for thousands of years.

www.bbc.co.uk

"Mummy, mummy, mummy, can I have a skateboard?"

This item states 'born wild' which I guess is ok? (But Bison don't usually use skateboards, so can't be really and truly wild.)

 

[Richard D]

To be fair towards the end of the article they do go into detail on enclosure size and the planned progression to the full site, but it is right at the end...

 

[dantheman]

Still in the headlines ...

Leonardo DiCaprio lauds birth of bison calf in Canterbury

It is the first bison calf to be born in the UK wild in thousands of years.

www.bbc.co.uk