Park Science. A Resource Management Bulletin

Authors(s):

Publication: Park Science

Publisher:

Publication Date: 0000-00-00

Type:

Location:

Abstract: In August, a single bison (Bison bison) was translocated from Wind Cave NP to Grand Teton NP in an effort to maintain genetic variability in Grand Teton's relatively small, genetically isolated bison herd. The introduction was called for in the Annual Management Program for the Jackson Herd, which is developed every year by agencies sharing jurisdiction for managing the herd, including the NPS, USFS, USFWS, and Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The Jackson herd, now numbering approximately 120 animals, summers in Grand Teton NP and winters on the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, WY. Coordinated by Grand Teton biologist Steve Cain and Wind Cave chief ranger Steve Bone, the translocation was the first involving the Jackson herd since 1963 when 10 bison were introduced from Theodore Roosevelt NM. The Wind Cave bison herd was chosen as the donor population because it has the highest level of heterozygosity known among several western herds that have been tested. The yearling female bison, selected because a young female is most likely to make a significant genetic contribution, was field-immobilized, corralled and observed for a few days by Wind Cave personnel, and then transported via horse trailer by Grand Teton biologists. Even though released in sight of the Jackson herd, the introduced animal remained solitary for about 3 weeks before finally joining the other animals. She was fitted with ear tags and a radio collar, so that her movements and reproductive status can be monitored on a regular basis. Park biologists anticipate that she will breed during the 1991 season. The success of this major effort can to a large degree be attributed to the outstanding level of inter-park cooperation brought about by both Grand Teton and Wind Cave personnel.

Keywords: animal, mammal, ungulate, bison, Bison bison, Grand Teton National Park, population, management, Jackson Hole, Teton County, National Park Service, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, National Elk Refuge, Wind Cave National Park, radio collar, ear tag, breeding