Alaska officials prepare for Wood Bison REINTRODUCTION

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

BY DAN JOLING

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- Wood bison, North America's largest land mammal, could reappear in their native U.S. habitat soon.

If the weather cooperates, Alaska wildlife officials on Sunday plan to move the first of a new herd to a rural village for eventual release into the Innoko (in-NOH'-koh) Flats about 350 miles southwest of Fairbanks.

Wood bison were native to Alaska but disappeared more than a century ago. They're larger than plains bison, the other subspecies of American bison.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologist Cathie Harms says 100 will be trucked from a conservation center in Portage to Anchorage for an hour flight to the village of Shageluk (SHAG'-eh-luk).

FULL short story at link. Video: http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/_national/buffalo_return/index.html?SITE=AP



Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_WOOD_BISON_RESTORATION?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-03-20-12-22-52

---

"Is something wrong, Captain?"

"I was just thinking about the buffalo, Mr. Spock."

Star Trek "Man Trap" was the first episode to air 1966

Related video: http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/_business/bison_boom/index.html?SITE=AP

[snooper2]

1. and the wolves say THANKYOU!

[Botany]

2. Adults are not easy prey for wolves

to have this native animal back in its native range and functioning as part of the ecosystem
is a good thing.

[obxhead]

8. That is wonderful too.

Sure, some see it as ugly violence, but the circle of life often is ugly.

Although, I was overjoyed to see a very smart squirrel outsmart a very hungry hawk a few days ago.

[femmocrat]

3. Good luck to them!

[roguevalley]

4. our big dudes are the greatest. Buffalo, musk oxen, moose and caribou. We got it all :D

[raven mad]

10. And the grizzlies, Kodiaks, and wolverines!

It pays one to be careful up here!

[madamvlb]

5. Just wait....the Palin clan will be all over this....

[packman]

6. Damn, you beat me to it

I can hear the helicopter blades whirling and the guns getting loaded as we speak. I can just see some asshole Alaskans looking at their den walls and picturing a buffalo head on a wall mount.

[F4lconF16]

12. Ah, crap.

Now that's a depressing thought.

[HuckleB]

7. K & R!

[raven mad]

9. They are such neat critters.

I, personally, am SOOOO glad they're home!



More photos here: http://www.newsminer.com/news/alaska_news/alaska-officials-prepare-for-wood-bison-reintroduction/article_335683d8-cf1e-11e4-a1f7-f74bd37dd6e3.html

[greatlaurel]

11. This is really good news.

Thanks for the post.

[Judi Lynn]

13. Wonderful animals. Hope they will be safe. n/t

[leftyladyfrommo]

14. Keep them away from Palin's family.

Wouldn't want them to have to take one for the team.