Remove Threats to
Irreplaceable Bison Herd at Wind Cave National Park
James Derr
Texas Veterinary Medical Center
Texas A&M University
Abstract: The Wind Cave National Park bison
herd represents a culturally, historically, and genetically
valuable and irreplaceable natural resource. Of the nine
Federal bison herds (5 NPS and 4 USFWS) recently tested only two
were found to have both high levels of genetic diversity and
neither historical nor current genetic evidence of domestic
cattle genetic introgression – Yellowstone National Park and
Wind Cave National Park. Unlike the Yellowstone National Park
population, however, Wind Cave National Park bison have the
additional advantage of being free of disease. In the past 2
years there have been 7 trespass bison from an adjacent state
park herd (known source of bison/cattle hybrids) detected within
the Park.
To maintain the long-term genetic
diversity and the cattle-gene free status, the Park and the
National Park Service must be responsible stewards by
identifying and removing (through blood/serum testing) state
park bison and their potential offspring from Wind Cave
National Park.
Modification 0001 provides for additional processing of
samples.
Funding Agency:
National Park Service
Task Agreement # J156006SR04 $19,000
Mod/0001 $8,500; Mod/0002 No cost
Total $27,500
Effective Dates: May 1, 2006 through May 31, 2007.
Extended through September 30, 2007
