More than a century after Buffalo Jones' experiment with cattle and bison created some odd-looking animals that eventually found their way onto the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, the park staff is working to reduce the number in the herd. Jones was hoping to cross the two species to create a hardier animal that could withstand the cold and snow winters of the Plains, but it never really worked.
For now, the park wants to live capture and removal of approximately 60-100 animals. Given the current distribution, abundance, density, and the expected growth of this herd, the National Park Service is concerned about increased impacts on park resources such as water, vegetation, soils, archaeological sites, and values such as visitor experience and wilderness character. Reducing the herd size will protect the ecosystem, park resources and values.
https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2019/09/grand-canyon-national-park-trying-cull-north-rim-bison
Comments