FRIDAY EVENING, FORTWHYTE ALIVE - about ten minutes after uploading my previous post, I was by the front desk here at FW. One of the front desk staff had contacted Ken, our Site Manager, about our close encounter with the bison in labour. Ken's advice: get back out to the paddock, because the mom would have the baby soon!
We did, and though we did not see the actual birth, we got to see a brand-new baby bison licked clean by it's mom, stand on its wobbly legs, fall down when it tried to lift three legs off the ground at once, and finally, gain the footing and confidence to follow its mother (and her milk!) across the pasture to join the herd.
This baby is number seven of the year. It's six "classmates" were playing with it (or, at least running and jumping with it) within about an hour of it's arrival.
I shouldn't need a big event like a bison birth to remind me that this thing we call Life on Earth is wonderful and exciting.
Just because I shouldn't need a reminder does not mean big, wonderful events shouldn't be appreciated!
I don't think those of us who saw the little animal stand, walk, or nurse for the first time will soon forget last Friday. That an animal so tiny and fragile could...work...and have the potential to grow into a creature as awe-inspiring as a bison...awesome.
Welcome, little bison.Continue to remind us of the wonder of Life, and our responsibility to you and the rest of the thing we call Life of Earth.
-Barret
Monday, May 17, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Birthing Bison!!!
It's been an exciting couple hours here at FortWhyte this afternoon!
The Bison Prairie is remarkably dry after our recent rains - dry enough to conduct a staff bison safari. Between camp, staff events, and public bison safaris, we only have about one hundred visitors see the herd up close and personal. Each tour, each viewing, is therefore special, unique, and exhilarating!
I had the honour of driving my colleagues into the paddock, and getting as close as was respectful, safe, and comfortable for the herd. Two jackrabbits bounced improbably spring-like away from the truck as we neared the bison. A red-tailed hawk swooped low overhead. Geese and goslings ran around the paddock, first investigating, then retreating from the truck. Life was buzzing around us.
Little did we realize we would see a new life enter the world!
As we approached the herd, one of our pregnant bison had her water break, and we could see she was having contractions. We watched as her belly changed shape, and she got ready to bring a new calf into the world!
We sat in awe and watched as the magnificent animal jumped, kicked, and squatted her way towards having the baby. We did decide to leave the new mother and calf alone for the final stages of birth (after all, the tour was about respect for the bison), but to see the preamble - and the exciting prospect of a new calf, gamboling about the pasture tomorrow - left everyone smiling. We go home tonight with a new experience, one not to be soon forgotten.
"Our" calf will be our herd's eighth of the season. By my estimation, we have another two or three on the way before calving is over.
It's supposed to be a beautiful, sunny weekend - perfect for looking for bison calves!
See you on the trail!
-Barret
I had the honour of driving my colleagues into the paddock, and getting as close as was respectful, safe, and comfortable for the herd. Two jackrabbits bounced improbably spring-like away from the truck as we neared the bison. A red-tailed hawk swooped low overhead. Geese and goslings ran around the paddock, first investigating, then retreating from the truck. Life was buzzing around us.
Little did we realize we would see a new life enter the world!
As we approached the herd, one of our pregnant bison had her water break, and we could see she was having contractions. We watched as her belly changed shape, and she got ready to bring a new calf into the world!
We sat in awe and watched as the magnificent animal jumped, kicked, and squatted her way towards having the baby. We did decide to leave the new mother and calf alone for the final stages of birth (after all, the tour was about respect for the bison), but to see the preamble - and the exciting prospect of a new calf, gamboling about the pasture tomorrow - left everyone smiling. We go home tonight with a new experience, one not to be soon forgotten.
"Our" calf will be our herd's eighth of the season. By my estimation, we have another two or three on the way before calving is over.
It's supposed to be a beautiful, sunny weekend - perfect for looking for bison calves!
See you on the trail!
-Barret
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