Range Expansion by Bison of Yellowstone National Park
Meagher MM. 1989. Range Expansion by Bison of Yellowstone National Park. Journal of Mammalogy. 70(3):670-675
The bison (Bison bison) of Yellowstone National Park have existed as an isolated population since the park was established in 1872 (Meagher, 1973a). The bison that inhabited the Yellowstone River Valley, immediately north of the park, were exterminated during the 1860s; those on the park's northern range were gone by the early 1890s. Bison from ranched herds introduced in 1902 interbred with the remnant original bison. The resulting population was influenced variously by ranching activities and regulation of population numbers by removals (reductions) through 1966. Except for a few males, bison seldom moved beyond park boundaries; they occupied traditional winter ranges with seasonal migrations to summer ranges (Meagher, 1973a) During the past dozen years the population on the northern winter range expanded from the traditional core along the lower Lamar River, occupied new foraging areas within the Park, and moved outside. Further expansion was disrupted because of conflicts with human interests. The factors which apparently contributed to the changes are presented here.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Meagher, Margaret
- Units
- YELL
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Bacteria, Brucella, Distribution, Habitats, Mammals, Population Density, Range, Wildlife Health