The beauty spots where Britain’s only free roaming bison herd lives are under threat from litter louts.
Guardians from Kent Wildlife Trust discovered a shocking trail of neglect and destruction caused by summer visitors.
This included dog poo, graffiti and mountains of trash left behind after the warm weather weekend.
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The trust manages over 90 nature reserves for wildlife including the UK’s only free-roaming bison herd at Blean and Thornden woods.
Staff have found discarded balloons in the Blean leading to a danger they could be ingested by wildlife.
A spokesman said balloons had been found in the bison’s protected area and in publicly accessible areas home to iron age pigs, cows and ponies.
The Trust’s Charlotte Lewis said: “We appreciate many people want to enjoy the beauty of nature in our green spaces.
“However we have noticed an increase in the amount of litter and disturbance at our sites.
“We are in the midst of a biodiversity emergency and these spaces are desperately needed by our wildlife.
“A nature haven is not the place for BBQs, parties or releasing balloons.
“Our sites are home to over 800 grazing animals and their wellbeing is compromised by ingesting rubbish or getting hurt by it.
“We take reports of criminal behaviour such as graffiti and vandalism seriously and report all incidents to the police.
“These incidents cost the trust thousands and could better be used to protect and restore nature.
“When visiting a nature reserve please leave no trace and take your rubbish home.
“People who want to help can do so by supporting our ‘Nature Nightmares’ Campaign, which helps cover the expenses caused by this irresponsible behaviour.”
The trail of destruction included:Fly-tipping at Holborough Marshes, Snodland
Fencing damage by quadbikes at Nashenden Down, Rochester
Graffiti at Darland Banks, Gillingham.
Damage by BBQs which are banned at Bluebell Hill, Maidstone.
Discarded balloons at Oare Marshes near Faversham
Dumped dog poo bags at Pegwell Bay, Ramsgate
Disturbance to wildlife at Sandwich and Pegwell Bay by people ignoring restricted areas
Three female Bison were released into the countryside at Blean near Canterbury in July 2022 to help restore the area to its natural state, as reported by Need To Know.
Since then, their numbers have doubled and the animals have had a huge impact in Blean and Thornden woods.
Following the introduction the project welcomed a bull bison and has seen the birth of two baby bison.
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