Photos: 28th annual bison roundup

Photos: 28th annual bison roundup

(Scott G Winterton/Deseret News)


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SYRACUSE — The 28th annual bison range ride and roundup took place Friday at Antelope Island State Park, giving locals and tourists a chance to witness a unique, western tradition.

The formation of the herd began when 12 bison were transported by boat to Antelope Island in 1893, according to Division of Natural Resources curator Clay Shelley. The free-range herd has now grown to over 600 cows and 100 bulls that graze on the island year-round.

Once a year, the bison are rounded up by state park employees, volunteers and paying tourists and herded around 20 miles from the south side of the island to the west side. The bison are kept in a corral and are vaccinated, weighed and given ear tags with small external computer chips, Shelley said. The cows are also checked for pregnancy.

This year, biologists will also gather hair samples from the bison for DNA testing at Texas A&M University in an effort to maintain a 100 percent pure bison herd by selling the bison with bovine genes.

After the inoculations, 200 bison will be sold at a public auction on Nov. 8 at the Antelope Island State Park bison corrals. The auctions help maintain a purebred herd and also keep a sustainable number of bison on the island.

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Faith Heaton Jolley

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