Genetically Pure Bison in Utah's Henry Mountains

[MarkBC]

I just saw this story "trending" on Facebook today. Here's a link to the Utah State University source story about bison in the Henry Mountains of southeast Utah.

Utah Bison Herd New Stronghold for Conservation say USU Ecologists

News to me because: 1) I've been in and around the Henrys a few times but never knew that bison there, 2) I didn't know that "genetically pure" bison -- free of cattle DNA -- were rare. .

Apparently, being disease-free (brucellosis) makes them extra special, compared to Yellowstone and Wind Cave N.P. herds.

 

[Smokecreek1]

Now that was interesting Mark-I learned something new, so thanks !

Smoke

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Very interesting! I hope they manage to keep them genetically pure. I hadn't realize how widespread the beefalo genes had become.

 

[ski3pin]

Pretty cool, Mr. BC! Thanks for posting. It's a very similar story of what has happened with most of our native trout species.

 

[Taku]

For that herd to be brucellocis free at this stage is interesting from a genetics standpoint. It also has implications for the free-ranging bison issue in Montana - which the MT Governor just made a great decision on: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/079b5f4db146448bb7c9128c48166b53/montana-governor-allows-bison-roam-outside-yellowstone

 

[longhorn1]

Great Story. Mark, thanks for posting.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Wander The West mobile app

 

[idahoron]

I wish they would plant them into some of Idaho's wilderness areas.