(Photo Credits: Ryan Postel, Fermilab)
It’s a…a…bison!
Yesterday, one of the most cherished traditions at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory was renewed with the arrival of the first newborn American bison calf of the season. The first cinnamon-colored baby bison was born and is healthy, and the calf is staying close to its mother as it takes its first steps on the open grassland.
“People come to Fermilab for world‑class science, but the bison herd has become one of the most beloved parts of our identity,” said Fermilab Director Norbert Holtkamp. “Fermilab occupies a very special place with the local community and in the global scientific landscape.”
According to Fermilab, the current herd consists of two bulls and 23 female cows. Bison calving season at the lab usually starts in the middle of April and continues until June. Each spring, the lab’s herdsman Cleo Garcia, expects approximately 20 new calves. Last year, 20 babies were born, with four calves arriving by surprise in late summer.
Fermilab refreshes the bulls in the herd every five to seven years. The bulls are pure-bred American bison and have been genetically tested. This is important in maintaining the health of the herd. Eleven years ago, Fermilab tested the entire herd and determined that there were no domesticated cattle genes present.
The public is welcome to view the herd anytime on the web 24-7 with the bison camera or by visiting Fermilab’s outdoor public areas from dawn to dusk every day of the week. Please visit the hours and public access webpage for information and requirements for visiting the lab, and celebrate the arrival of spring along with Fermilab’s newest additions.
