First wild-born wood bison calves spotted near Bethel

BETHEL, Alaska (AP) - Wood bison calves have been spotted near Bethel, marking the first wild-born bison in the U.S. in years.

KYUK-AM reports (https://bit.ly/1UpSFao ) that the newborn calves were spotted last week, months after the Alaska Department of Fish and Game released 130 wood bison into the wild.

Wood bison are North America’s largest land animal and the larger cousins of plains bison. They are native to Alaska and Canada but disappeared from Alaska more than 100 years ago.

Because the animals spent most of their lives in captivity, wildlife officials say the survival of these new calves presents a significant hurdle in restoring the bison population. Currently the herd is drawn to humans, but officials hope the next generation will become more wild and independent.

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Information from: KYUK-AM, https://www.kyuk.org