A rare breed of White Park cattle, considered one of the most ancient cattle species, has been introduced to the grounds of the Castle Howard Estate in North Yorkshire. This marks a significant phase in the Bog Hall rewilding scheme, a conservation project spanning three decades.
The estate aims for the cattle's grazing in newly sown meadows to foster a more diverse habitat structure. Guy Thallon, head of natural environment at Castle Howard, described the reintroduction of animals as "inspiring for the whole Castle Howard team and beyond." The estate also has plans to release beavers in the autumn.
Conservation volunteers have been actively preparing the site for the new arrivals. Their work includes creating ponds and planting willow trees, which are expected to benefit from the grazing and habitat changes. Approximately five kilometers of fencing has been installed to manage the cattle's movement, with specific provisions made for other wildlife, including badger tunnels and otter passes, to ensure their continued safe passage across the estate.
"We can't wait to see the positive impact of nature's engineers in the coming years," Thallon added, referring to the ecological role of reintroduced species. The introduction of the White Park cattle is part of a broader strategy to enhance biodiversity and natural processes on the historic estate.