Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Pioneers Park Nature Center officials gathered Tuesday morning to announce that six new bison have been added to the herd. There are now 12 female bison roaming the pastures and they range in age from 20 months to 20 years.
“The American bison is a majestic symbol of our national identity and exists at the heart of the history of the North American prairie,” Gaylor Baird says. “The addition of these six new bison will give our community members and visitors more opportunities to experience them in one of Lincoln’s most beloved parks.”
The six female, yearling bison were purchased in early January for $1,500 each through an auction by the Friends of Pioneers Park Nature Center. The bison were delivered in mid-January by the Crane Trust.
“With the crucial backing of the Friends group and from the Crane Trust, we are excited to continue the care and management of these bison, ensuring their well-being thrives in Lincoln. We look forward to more opportunities for our natural environment and the enrichment it brings to the lives of our residents and visitors,” said Jamie Kelley, PPNC Coordinator.
Bison were first introduced to Pioneers Park in 1931. The herd was most recently expanded in 2017 with three bison loaned from the Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari in Ashland.
(Photo: City of Lincoln)