Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
ANTELOPE ISLAND — No matter how many times you see pictures of bison, there’s nothing like taking your own.
Candace Marston and her husband hail from Connecticut and are visiting state capitols in the West. But when she heard about bison in Utah, their trip to Boise took a detour to Antelope Island State Park.
“They’re dangerous, but they’re really cute,” Marston said. “I want pictures.”
Park workers understand people love the bison and want to take pictures of them. But as always, especially now, they’re warning visitors to not get too close.
“Just with the kind of extra stress with the fire, I think it’s even more critical to give them their space,” said Wendy Wilson, assistant manager at Antelope Island State Park.
Over 15,000 acres burned last week, covering half the island and taking a lot of the vegetation bison and other animals rely on.
“It is devastating what burned out here,” Wilson said.
Related:
Antelope Island fire reaches nearly 14K acres, 80 percent contained
The fire at Antelope Island grew by more than 1,000 acres Sunday after raging for much of the day Saturday. It reached nearly 14,000 acres, stretching toward the historic Fielding Garr Ranch. Multiple out of state crews have been called in to help and fire crews were able to gain the upper hand on the fire.No wildlife were injured or killed, according to the Antelope Island website. There’s enough food in places that didn't burn through the rest of the summer and fall, Wilson added, but park officials will keep an eye on the bison during winter.
“We’ve talked about we could supplement (with) feed a little bit for the bison,” she said.
Marston hopes there will be enough food for the bison all year so officials don't have to feed the animals.
“(I would) hate to do that because then they depend on people for food,” Marston said.
Seeing bison on their own is something everyone should have the chance to see, she said.
“Right after the eagle, it screams America,” Marston said. “It’s so very American.”
The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. For information on park fees and area closures due to the fire, visit stateparks.utah.gov.
Contributing: Tracie Snowder
