Duane Weber, wildlife bio-technician, fits a Wind Cave bison with an ear tag as part of a recent capture and processing operation at the park/NPS

Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota recently conducted a capture and processing operation to reduce the size of the park’s bison herd by 131 animals. Partnering with wildlife managers in four states, these bison will be sent to establish conservation herds or augment existing herds managed by The Nature Conservancy, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the Kalispel Tribe.

"Scientist believe 1,000 bison are necessary to maintain a diverse genetic pool, but Wind Cave can only support a herd about half that size,” said Wind Cave Superintendent Vidal Dávila. “By working with other organizations we are able to maintain our herd’s overall diversity while finding a home for bison the park can no longer support.”

This operation continues a cooperative effort with TNC, which already manages Wind Cave conservation herds at five sites throughout the Midwest. Bison processed this week will augment an existing herd in Indiana, while also establishing a new herd at Smoky Valley Ranch in Kansas.

“Smoky Valley Ranch’s decision to accept Wind Cave bison is an extension of TNC’s overall commitment to the conservation of the American bison,” according to Alan Oborny of The Nature Conservancy. “The opportunity to establish a genetically important satellite herd through a cooperative agreement with Wind Cave National Park will help to insure the genetic viability of this unique species.”

In addition to working with established organizations, the park is working with a new partner, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, to establish a conservation herd at the Raymond Wildlife Area near Flagstaff, Arizona.

“The Arizona Game and Fish Department is proud to be partnering with the National Park Service to expand this lineage of bison from Wind Cave National Park, which are direct descendants of the last remaining free ranging plains bison. This effort is a significant opportunity to work with the NPS while fulfilling our mission to conserve wildlife and provide wildlife recreation for the people of Arizona,” said Scott Poppenberger, Flagstaff Regional Supervisor for AZGFD.

The Kalispel Tribe of Washington State will also receive three bison to augment their existing herd. All other captured bison will be released back into the park after processing. A small microchip is implanted under the skin of each animal so that biologists can monitor the animal’s sex, age, and genetic information during future capture operations. After this operation, Wind Cave’s bison population will be approximately 325 animals.