Bison rangers wanted to ensure beasts don't escape fenced off enclosure when they are reintroduced

Bison rangers are being recruited to ensure Britain's first herd in 15,000 years do not escape from the woods where they are to be let loose to roam.

The Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust are searching for two rangers who have good people skills, experience with cattle - and preferably a gun licence.

They will also be required to show visitors around the wood, in order to show the benefits of restoring land to how it was thousands of years ago.

The Wildwood Trust said: "Bison releases have already proved very successful in European countries including Poland, Romania and the Netherlands, not only in restoring habitats but also giving people a truly wild experience. "

Their reintroduction, planned for next year, is part of the Wilder Blean project to rewild Blean Woods, near Canterbury.

The European bison, the continent's largest land mammal, is the closest living relative to ancient steppe bison that would have once roamed Britain and naturally managed the habitat, conservationists said.

A close-knit herd of four European bison will be introduced into a 200-hectare (500-acre) fenced enclosure in the woods, in what is the first time the animals have been brought to a nature reserve to help wildlife in the UK.

Despite their size, with adult males weighing up to a tonne, bison are peaceful, according to experts, and no other species can perform the job of engineering the habitat in the same way.

They fell trees by rubbing up against them and eating the bark, creating areas of space and light in the woods and providing deadwood which will help other plants and animals.

They create patches of bare earth by dust bathing, which can provide habitat for insects and lizards.

Stan Smith, Wilder Landscapes Manager at Kent Wildlife Trust said: “This is a truly unique role for the UK, it’s a chance to manage a free roaming herd of Europe’s largest living land mammal and to develop an entirely new skill set which will enable the success of this and future wilding projects.

“This is a first step to European bison becoming more frequent tools for the restoration of ecosystems in Britain and for two individuals to get to know these animals like no other. Whilst we are not expecting applicants to have significant experience with bison, this will be a demanding role requiring excellent ecological knowledge, deep understanding of animal behaviour and a passion to tell others about these incredible animals."

The rangers will be sent to spend time with the infamous group ARK Natuur Ontwikkeling at several of their sites in the Netherlands. This will provide the necessary specific skills and understanding to manage free ranging bison in the Wilder Blean project which are currently unavailable in the UK. These rewilders have previously come under fire for allowing animals to starve to death in one of their projects.

Watch: Canadian man rides bison to shop