First new bison calves of year born on Fermilab grounds
Fermilab in Batavia, Illinois, is known for its powerful particle accelerator and cutting-edge research in particle physics, but outside the U.S. Department of Energy facility, the bison that roam the tallgrass prairielands are famous in their own right.
As calving season begins at Fermilab, two new bison calves were born Monday.
The calves joined the bison heard that has been grazing on the Fermilab grounds since 1969.
"Our herd is doing well," Fermilab herdsman Cleo Garcia said in a news release. "Each year, we monitor the cows closely to estimate how many calves we'll have. It's always exciting to see the first birth of the season."
About 20 calves are expected to be born this season.
The herd is now made up of 23 bison cows, two bulls, and three yearlings born last year, Fermilab noted. Fermilab rotates the bison bulls every five to seven years to maintain genetic diversity — while ensuring the herd remains as close to full-blooded American bison as possible.
Genetic testing in 2015 found there were few to any cattle genes in the bison herd, Fermilab said.
Bison calves have a cinnamon-colored coat when they're born, and weigh 40 to 70 pounds. Their coat turns brown as they grow, and they can reach weights of 300 to 350 pounds by the age of six months, Fermilab said.
Calving season usually goes through June, though a calf was born as late as September last year.
The outdoor public areas at Fermilab are open daily from dawn until dusk. Visitors are welcome, but must bring Real ID-compliant identification to enter, Fermilab said.
