The Nature Conservancy in Iowa - Reintroduction of Bison to Iowa: Bison Diary, Entry #1

The reintroduction of bison on the largest, contiguous native prairie in Iowa is a celebration of the progress that the Conservancy has made in Iowa, with your help. Please support this ongoing, important program.

Bison History
The bison population was decimated in the 1800s to almost extinction. However, a handful survived and have served as the basis for our repopulation to areas where the “buffalo roamed.” More history.

Current Bison Population
Most bison are in private ownership. Many reside in our public parks and conservation areas. Where are the bison?

The Nature Conservancy Herds
The Conservancy has a rich but relatively brief history with bison. The first herd of 18 bison was acquired in 1984 at the Samuel H. Ordway Memorial Prairie in South Dakota. The Conservancy manages almost 5,000 bison at their eight preserves. Conservancy bison preserves.

Grasslands Worldwide
Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve is a globally unique landscape. By maintaining and restoring areas in the Loess Hills, the Conservancy and partners are conserving the least protected habitat on Earth, with only 2 percent of native grasslands remaining. Learn more about other grasslands around the world.

Arrival: October 23, 2008

The bison arrived at Broken Kettle Grasslands around 5:30 Monday night. We got 28 bison — 7 calves, 5 bulls and 16 cows. Everyone arrived in great condition and we were really pleased with the release. They bolted out of the trailer and went straight down the outer aisle, made a left turn into the back corral.

The transport truck had several compartments and we had them divided into groups. First out were the cows, then the bulls and then the calves. They all took the same route and gathered in the back corner — mostly to get far away from people and the trailer. The calves were pretty nimble and fast and made a racket as they pounded their way to the front of the trailer — like they were have a race. They almost seemed playful.

After all the bison were out of the trailer, the herd calmed down and began to eat the native hay. They walk over, grab a mouthful and walk away. We had an incredible rainbow for their first morning in Iowa. It seemed quite fitting. They now are home in Iowa and all is good.

It is suppose to rain in the next few days so the corral will be getting muddy. I’m anxious to get them out on their native prairie — in the trap pasture. Yesterday, we checked them around lunch time and they seemed comfortable, laying down in the corrals. Still the corral was tidy. The location of the corral is such that we can check them from a distance throughout the day and not disturb them.

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