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The last time the Bison Wildlife Preserve brought in what were thought to be two pregnant cows, the cows were 0-for-2.
But with the birth of a second heifer within a couple weeks, the second round has been perfect.
“At least we’re up to .500 now,” said Rep. Bob Grant, D-Cherokee. “If this keeps up, I’m going to wind up going broke buying cigars.”
Grant said he drove by the area on his way to Topeka Wednesday, and the second cow hadn’t given birth. But when Rob Riggin, Wildlife and Parks public land manager, went by the area Thursday, a second calf was out.
“It sure looked like it was pretty new,” Riggin said. “The calf was dry, but the umbilical cord was still wet.”
When combined with the calf born two weeks ago, the preserve now has two young heifers to go with its seven older cows.
“We’re glad to have more calves,” Riggin said. “It gives more of a viewing opportunity for folks.”
Riggin said the calves grow to full size over a course of about three years. A grown cow typically weighs between 700 and 800 pounds. A bull can weigh about twice that.
Right now, the area is crowded, Riggin said, but it might not be for much longer. First, the Wildlife and Parks division found out that a fence for the pen was approved by the Kansas Legislature.
“It’s funded a little faster than what I thought it was,” Riggin said. “We’ll go through a bidding process, and it will require quite a bit of effort to clear out and area to build the new fence.”
Riggin said he wanted to start building the fence by September or October. Originally, Riggin said plans were to start building the fence midway through 2009. The state allocation for the project, Grant said, is around $47,000.
Another thing that may ease the crowding is the loss of one of the herd. One of the cows is in its upper 20s. Mid 20s is old for a bison, Riggin said.
Riggin advised that any visitors to the Bison Wildlife Area looking for the two calves should employ patience.
“They aren’t highly visible,” Riggin said. “The grass is tall and they stay low quite a bit. But if you come out to look, I’ll tell you, they are out there.”
Kevin Flaherty can be reached at kevin.flaherty@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 Ext. 134
The last time the Bison Wildlife Preserve brought in what were thought to be two pregnant cows, the cows were 0-for-2.
But with the birth of a second heifer within a couple weeks, the second round has been perfect.
“At least we’re up to .500 now,” said Rep. Bob Grant, D-Cherokee. “If this keeps up, I’m going to wind up going broke buying cigars.”
Grant said he drove by the area on his way to Topeka Wednesday, and the second cow hadn’t given birth. But when Rob Riggin, Wildlife and Parks public land manager, went by the area Thursday, a second calf was out.
“It sure looked like it was pretty new,” Riggin said. “The calf was dry, but the umbilical cord was still wet.”
When combined with the calf born two weeks ago, the preserve now has two young heifers to go with its seven older cows.
“We’re glad to have more calves,” Riggin said. “It gives more of a viewing opportunity for folks.”
Riggin said the calves grow to full size over a course of about three years. A grown cow typically weighs between 700 and 800 pounds. A bull can weigh about twice that.
Right now, the area is crowded, Riggin said, but it might not be for much longer. First, the Wildlife and Parks division found out that a fence for the pen was approved by the Kansas Legislature.
“It’s funded a little faster than what I thought it was,” Riggin said. “We’ll go through a bidding process, and it will require quite a bit of effort to clear out and area to build the new fence.”
Riggin said he wanted to start building the fence by September or October. Originally, Riggin said plans were to start building the fence midway through 2009. The state allocation for the project, Grant said, is around $47,000.
Another thing that may ease the crowding is the loss of one of the herd. One of the cows is in its upper 20s. Mid 20s is old for a bison, Riggin said.
Riggin advised that any visitors to the Bison Wildlife Area looking for the two calves should employ patience.
“They aren’t highly visible,” Riggin said. “The grass is tall and they stay low quite a bit. But if you come out to look, I’ll tell you, they are out there.”
Kevin Flaherty can be reached at kevin.flaherty@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 Ext. 134
