Four Asian water buffalo have been released on to the Fens as part of a unique project to maintain a conservation area.

They will keep 40 acres of vegetation and scrub under control at Chippenham Fen, a National Nature Reserve in Cambridgeshire.

They will do away with the need for environmentally unfriendly mechanical mowers. It also means hundreds of insects can thrive in the grassy tussocks left by the animals' grazing pattern.

The buffalo, an eight-year-old cow and a trio of three-year-old steers, were transported from a herd in Cardigan Bay in Wales to their new home.

Chippenham Fen assistant site manager Kevin Warrington believes the buffalo will be a huge success.

"Chippenham Fen has several areas which need new or revised management to maintain or restore favourable conditions for nature conservation and these magnificent animals seem to be the perfect management tool," said Mr Warrington.

He added the fen is the first to employ buffalo to do this kind of job, reports the Eastern Daily Press.

Buffalo originate in western Asia. The first herd was introduced to England in the 13th century by the Earl of Cornwall, brother of Henry III.

They thrive in areas where pasture is limited and livestock feed on poor-quality forages. Buffalo graze a wider range of plants than cattle and can even swim and tread water.

Source: Ananova