Known as \u2018wetland architects\u2019, the buffalo use their hooves to churn soil, create wallows and keep pools open – slowing water flow and helping it settle naturally.<\/p>\n
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Above:\u00a0Buffalo enjoying the pools on the site near Heddon Valley. Credit: NTI Jack Ward<\/p>\n
Their browsing behaviour clears scrub, making space for wildflowers and other species to thrive, which in turn supports insects, birds and mammals.<\/p>\n
Murray Sharpe, farm manager for the West Exmoor National Trust, said: \u201cBuffalo are specialised wetland animals and this site offers an ideal habitat for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re hardy, disease-resistant and able to thrive on rough forage. Their thick skin and natural wallowing habits make them more tolerant of flies and ticks than cattle, which means they\u2019re well-suited to this landscape.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy grazing and browsing around the many ponds, scrapes and ditches on site, they\u2019ll help shape a broader range of habitats than we could achieve without them. In doing so, they\u2019ll create a wealth of new niches for wildlife and play a role in driving the ecology of the site.\u201d\u202f<\/p>\n
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Above:\u00a0Water buffalo at the wetland restoration site on West Exmoor. Credit: NTI Bob W<\/p>\n
The buffalo\u2019s arrival builds on the success of the\u202fRiverlands project, completed in 2024, which restored lost wetland by diverting a stream back into its natural floodplain. This work helps the site hold water during floods and droughts, boosts biodiversity and improves the landscape\u2019s resilience.<\/p>\n
The project is funded by the Government\u2019s\u202fSpecies Survival Fund, developed by Defra and delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.<\/p>\n
Alex Palmer, project manager for the North Devon Riverlands project, added: \u201cIntroducing buffalo here will build on the success of the work already completed on site, adding a natural way to keep ponds and scrapes open, spread wetland plants and create new niches for insects and birds. The buffalo are a key component to the future success for this site and we are looking forward to seeing their impact.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alongside the buffalo, mangalitsa pigs\u202fare also helping to shape the landscape. Their rooting behaviour creates bare ground that supports wildflowers and insects, while slowing surface water. These disturbed patches are over-sown with wildflower seed, which the livestock help distribute naturally as they move across the site.<\/p>\n
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