Rare Bison Herd Released into Minnesota State Park Near Mankato

Populations in Minnesota are unknown, but reports from the 1700s to 1800s suggest they were numerous. During the 19th century, bison were hunted to near extinction and the last wild bison was documented in 1880. “We want the public of Minnesota to see those same kind of bison”. Genetic testing done on the bison in 2011-2013 found that they were largely free from cross-breeding with cattle making them very rare. This awesome idea is the result of efforts made by DNR and Minnesota Zoo entered, with both outfits working together to preserve the American bison.

It’s a collective conservation effort between the Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Zoo. The effort results in bringing 11 pure strain bison into the park near Mankato.

The park has a large potential audience with over 200,000 people within 50 miles.

The park contains sufficient prairie to accommodate a bison herd.

Tony Fisher, the Minnesota Zoo’s beasts compilation boss said, “The bison were actually motivated anywhere from 20 mil to actually less than a singular, 000 animals [in the early] 1900’s”. According to the press release, the group includes cow and calf pairs, as well as yearling bison heifers. Eventually the herd will grow to 30-40 bison.

The visitors are also going to drive right up to the herd like they would at Custer State Park or Yellowstone National Park. The interpretive focus will be the historic relationship between bison and humans.

It took some cajoling to get the bison to move to the temporary holding pen so that they can familiarize themselves with their new habitat.

To allow the bison to acclimate to their new home, Minneopa State Park’s campground will be closed through mid-October, said DNR Parks and Trails regional manager Kathy Dummer.

Minneopa was chosen, the DNR says, partly because the bison will help manage the landscape there.