Natural England

Grazing cattle will be re-introduced to Richmond Park today, Wednesday 30th January 2008, to help conserve a rare habitat.

A grazing trial, aimed at improving the abundance of rare plants, will be conducted in partnership between The Royal Parks, Natural England and Hounslow Urban Farm. It is taking place on just four hectares of the Park’s 1000 hectares and the cows are British White crosses – a traditional beef breed ideally suited to grassland conservation. The two cows (mother and calf) will be in a fenced enclosure on Sawyer’s Hill during the winter months.

The presence of these cows is expected to improve the abundance of the rarer acid grassland flowers. Cattle are ‘grazers’, as such they prefer lusher grasses and are known to increase biodiversity in conservation grassland by gradually creating gaps between the dense tussocks and allowing flowers such as harebells to flourish. The deer prevent the grassland developing into woodland but are by preference ‘browsers’ and eat woody vegetation.

The effects of this winter grazing on the grassland will be reviewed annually until 2013. The number of cattle will be adjusted according to the response of the grassland flora.

Nigel Reeve, Community Ecologist for The Royal Parks said:
“Cattle were a familiar part of Richmond Park’s community of grazing animals right up until the mid-20th Century. Working with our partners, this exciting study will help us to learn more about how better to conserve and enhance the special community of plant and animal wildlife that makes up the Park’s Acid Grassland.”

Alison Barnes, Regional Director for Natural England’s London region said:
“This is an excellent partnership project which will benefit both wildlife and visitors to the park. We welcome this experimental approach to management which should inform and inspire other sites across London”.

For further press information or images, please contact:

The Royal Parks: Katy Murray on 020 7298 2128 or kmurray@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

Natural England:Ellen Softley on 020 7932 2230 or ellen.softley@naturalengland.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

• Records show that cattle used to roam Richmond Park in large numbers – in 1914 there were 114 cattle and in 1943 there were 50 cattle.
• The famous herds of Red and Fallow deer have been continuously present since Charles I stocked the Park in 1637.
• Richmond Park is London’s largest National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is internationally important for its wildlife and designated as a European Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
• Lowland Acid Grassland (Acid Grassland for short) is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitat for conservation. Richmond Park has the largest area of Acid Grassland in the London area.
• The Royal Parks are the lead partner for the London Biodiversity Partnership’s Acid Grassland Habitat Action Plan.
• The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Richmond Park and St James's Park.
• Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. They conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. See www.naturalengland.org.uk for further information.

www.royalparks.org.uk
www.naturalengland.org.uk