A herd of European bison was released into the wild on the Castletown Estate in Cumbria earlier this month [1].
The project represents a significant step in UK conservation efforts to create wildlife-rich habitats and re-introduce native species. By returning these large herbivores to the landscape, conservationists aim to explore the evolving role of zoos in protecting biodiversity and managing wild ecosystems [1], [2].
The release took place in June 2026, coinciding with the 200th anniversary of the Zoological Society of London [1]. The animals now roam the land between the River Eden and River Esk, north of Carlisle [2], [3]. This marks the first time in 6,000 years [1] that bison have roamed wild in the region.
Donovan Wright is one of only two bison rangers currently operating in the UK [1]. He and other experts are monitoring the herd to ensure the animals integrate successfully into the Cumbrian landscape. Keepers said the animals are "thriving" [2] as they settle into their new home.
The initiative focuses on the ecological impact of the bison, which act as natural engineers by grazing and disturbing the soil. This process allows other plant and animal species to flourish in the undergrowth, a key goal of the re-wilding scheme [2], [3].
Roma Wells of the BBC Travel Show documented the release and said the return of the species is a milestone for British nature. The project seeks to balance the preservation of a native species with the practicalities of land management in a modern agricultural setting [1].
“For the first time in 6,000 years, bison are roaming wild in Cumbria.”
The re-introduction of European bison to Cumbria serves as a test case for large-scale re-wilding in the UK. By utilizing the bison as ecological engineers, the project attempts to restore natural biodiversity and shift the traditional role of zoological societies from captivity-based exhibition to active wilderness restoration.
