Posts Tagged ‘buffalo’
via Hubspot.com
North America’s largest land animal is coming back to one of its natural environments. A subspecies of the more commonly known plains bison, the wood bison once ranged wide swathes of Alaska and Canada until the 1900s. A series of environmental factors forced the species to near extinction.
According to the Alaska Dispatch, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) recently announced a plan to reintroduce the wood bison to the state with the end goal of promoting tourism and hunting. Conservation groups have been lobbying for the creation of a wild bison population since 53 of the endangered species were moved to an Alaska quarantine from Canada. Their efforts were stalled by concerns that the bison might interfere with gas and oil development.
So far, the FWS plan involves moving a “nonessential experimental population” of the animals to an area near Fairbanks, Alaska. The region was historically a bison range before they became endangered. The bison will be kept under careful surveillance for a short period to allow them to acclimate, and then released into the wild.
[Read the full story here]
via The Rapid City Journal
Decades ago, Custer State Park’s annual roundup of its buffalo herd was a minor event, attended by perhaps 200 people.
On Monday, an estimated 14,000 people made the trek to the park to watch more than 1,000 bison corralled at the 46th annual Buffalo Roundup at the park, located outside of Rapid City, South Dakota.
“The roundup is an activity that we would do regardless if anybody showed up or not,” said Craig Pugsley, visitor services coordinator for the park. But he is happy to accommodate the crowds.
“All the park sites are filled. The lodges are full. So is the town of Custer,” Pugsley said. “It’s a great economic shot in the arm at a time when we really need it here in the Black Hills.”
During the roundup, volunteers on horseback and in vehicles herd the park’s estimated 1,300 bison towards corrals. Herding the buffalo are between 40 and 50 riders on horseback, including state employees and civilians chosen for their equestrian skills. Those volunteers go through extensive safety training, which Pugsley said has kept injuries to a minimum over the decades. To Pugsley’s knowledge, no spectators have ever been injured during the roundup. Once in the corrals, the buffalo will be inspected, counted and vaccinated, and 205 animals will be selected to be sold at auctions later this the fall.
The roundup is the culmination of a weekend of activities at the park. The Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival runs Saturday and Sunday at the park and includes art exhibitions and a chili cook-off.
Read more: http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/custer-state-park-readies-for-annual-bison-roundup/article_22f58276-e72a-11e0-a0d2-001cc4c002e0.html#ixzz1ZAveO4xY
A woman and her male companion were charged and attacked by a male American bison in the Biscuit Basin area of Yellowstone National Park. The home video of the encounter and woman’s story were recently featured on CNN. The controversy over the incident seems to revolve around whether or not the bison was provoked. Some think the video shows the bison being hit with a stick-like object. The couple was admittedly 30 ft from the animal when it charged (the park warns visitors stay atleast 75 feet from elk or bison). Watch the video and tell us what you think.
Check out the video here [From CNN via National Parks Traveler]
If this video teaches us anything, it’s that wild animals are just that…WILD animals! Always err on the side of caution and use your better judgment.
via TheHuntingWire.com
AUSTIN, Texas — Preserving and promoting American Buffalo, the Texas Bison Association (TBA) is pleased to announce that the Texas Legislature has officially designated the first week of May as ‘Texas Bison Week.’ During the commemorative week, the TBA will host its Spring Meeting and ‘Buffalo Banquet’ on May 8, 2010 in conjunction with Buffalo Boogie 5K Fun Run sponsored by the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge in Fort Worth.
After the TBA’s membership meeting, the First Annual TBA Buffalo Banquet will feature a fund-raising auction with a wide array of trips, art, custom knives, furniture, jewelry, trips, and other Texas- and buffalo-related products. The banquet will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the La Quinta – Lake Worth and all bison enthusiasts are welcome to attend. Cost is $50 and includes TBA ‘Friend of the Herd’ membership, bison steak dinner and chances to win some great auction and raffle items. A portion of the proceeds from the banquet will also be donated to the American Heart Association.
“The Texas legislature’s official recognition of Texas Bison Week acknowledges the resurgence of bison and the growing popularity of bison as a heart-healthy red meat alternative,” says Tim Frasier, president of the Texas Bison Association. “Buffalo ranching and bison products are becoming increasingly popular, and our all-new Buffalo Banquet is bringing together bison enthusiasts for a fun evening commemorating the rich, unique history and tradition of our American buffalo.”
Bison meat is very lean — containing less calories and cholesterol than either beef or chicken — and is a great alternative for people who want to improve their diet without giving up red meat. In addition, bison contributes about 69 percent more iron to a diet than beef and contains higher levels of vitamins and minerals, and is more non-allergenic and digestible than most other meats. (more…)
