Good news in Alaska - wild baby bison!

[Blue_In_AK]

Last edited Thu Apr 28, 2016, 12:20 AM - Edit history (1)

Facebook post from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game

ADF&G Biologists spotted the first wild-bred, wild-born, wood bison calf in over a hundred years this week in the Lower Yukon/Innoko area. This monumental event is a milestone that marks the beginning of a viable, wild, and growing population of wood bison in the USA and Alaska. The stock used to reintroduce wood bison to Alaska had been in captivity over many generations (since 1957) in order to save this unique northern subspecies from extinction. Some people had doubts that the bison would become wild again and prosper in their old homelands after such a long time behind fences with supplemental food, water, and shelter.

Since their reintroduction in spring of 2015, the Alaska wood bison have shown that they are right at home along the lower Yukon, and as of this week, calves are being born and the population is growing with no input or assistance from humans. It was not without difficulty. In the first few months after release, some bison died as natural selection chose the strongest and culled the weakest. Now, the bison fit for life in the wild remain, and robust young calves will soon increase the population of the 130 that were released. This week marks the dawn of an era: the era of WILD wood bison conservation in the USA, with Alaska at the helm.

2 calves have been spotted to date. ADF&G is expecting about 30 new calves this year.

[Adsos Letter]

1. That is a great image.

And very good news.

[haikugal]

2. Wonderful news! Thanks Blue!

[grasswire]

3. thanks so much

I love this site and photos.

[Rebkeh]

4. Excellent news! Nt

[Judi Lynn]

5. May providence protect these innocent beings, prevent what happened to them last time. n/t

[Blue_In_AK]

6. They're really magnificent creatures,

the largest land animal in North America. I read that males can reach 2,000 pounds. They should do well out there. It's wild country, very sparsely populated, and I'm sure ADF&G is on the lookout for poachers.

[fred v]

9. And keep the damn Palins away!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

7. Ah!!! Such happy news!!

Needed that!

[postulater]

8. Good news.

And thanks to those anonymous biologists who had the foresight and knowledge to protect them along the way.

[raven mad]

10. Isn't this wonderful?

This and my first cup of coffee made my day!