Preserving an Icon
Established on Nov. 1, 2015, the Laramie Foothills Bison
Conservation Herd began as a collaborative effort between Larimer County, the
City of Fort Collins, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service, and Colorado State University. The herd
originated with ten individuals, each with a genetic lineage from the remaining
wild bison of Yellowstone National Park, which also show no evidence of having
bred with cattle. The Laramie Foothills herd is intended to serve as a genetic
source for other bison herds where their valuable genetics may strengthen the
gene pool within the receiving herd and/or contribute to genetic conservation
of the species as a whole.
Unfortunately, due to brucellosis, an introduced disease that is
now endemic in the Yellowstone area, it is not as simple as just taking animals
from Yellowstone and moving them around to establish other conservation herds
without extensive quarantine. Colorado State University researchers use
assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to generate offspring with these
valuable Yellowstone genetics. These technologies include artificial
insemination, in vitro embryo production, embryo transfer, and techniques for
washing embryos and sperm to prevent transmission of disease. There is no
genetic engineering involved in this project. The technologies have been
used to preserve and propagate the naturally occurring genetics of Yellowstone
bison. Calves produced using these techniques, as well as naturally bred and
born bison under the care of USDA-APHIS, were founding members of the Laramie
Foothills herd.
This project also seeks to restore the prairie on which bison
depend. Of course, bison play an important role in balancing the health of this
valuable ecosystem. Scientists from the Warner College of Natural Resources at
CSU are studying how bison reintroduction effects plant and animal populations
on the prairie.
Soapstone Prairie Natural Area and Red Mountain Open Space are
public spaces providing viewing opportunities between March 1 and Dec 1. Staff
from these programs, along with collaborators from the Denver Zoo and the
Warner College of Natural Resources at CSU evaluate how bison influence
visitation and how the presence of bison affects how visitors connect with the
landscape.
Bringing bison back to this space was also important for local
indigenous communities. The partners of the Laramie Foothills Bison Herd
respect and honor the presence of the bison in a space that has historical
meaning for Native American tribes. We hope this project provides a space where
connections with this animal and land can be re-established. Some of our bison
have been given to tribes in support of their efforts to grow their own herds
and foster that connection on their own lands. This continues to be part of our
mission.
Since their re-establishment on the prairie, the Laramie
Foothills herd has flourished. In just 5 years the herd has grown to
approximately 100 animals, though numbers will fluctuate from year to year, and
they now range on approximately 2700 acres. This growth is the result of
introduction of new bison and a lot of natural breeding. The first generation
of calves born on the prairie are now having calves of their own! We invite you
to visit them and watch them grow with us. They can be seen at Soapstone
Prairie Natural Area, from the entrance road, the south parking lot, or the
Cheyenne Rim trail. Please note that sometimes they may not be in a visible
area or at a distance from the viewing points. Bring binoculars, just in case.
The care of the bison is supported by donations and we are
grateful for all support. If you would like to donate to help us continue our
work, visit advancing.colostate.edu/bison.
-Download the Bison Days scavenger hunt for kids!