Until now, there were 6 bison living at the “ Tierwelt Herberstein .” Now, the herd has received a boost—in two ways. On May 3, 2019, a bison calf was born. Since the arrival last week of Arizona, a one-year-old female bison from Schönbrunn, the herd now consists of 8 animals.

“Upon arrival, the bison was initially separated from the other animals while we awaited the results of the required blood test,” reports Dr. Reinhard Pichler, zoological director and veterinarian. After a waiting period of a few days, she was successfully integrated into the herd. The young bull Texas, born in 2016, continues to hold the dominant role in the group.

“Genetically, the new arrival is an excellent fit for our group and thus perfectly expands the gene pool. Nothing stands in the way of further breeding,” says the Herberstein veterinarian.

After all, offspring among bison are not a given. At the end of the 19th century, there were fewer than 100 animals. It was only with the establishment of protected areas, such as Yellowstone National Park, that this species—often mistakenly referred to as “buffalo”—was successfully saved. The population has grown; on the North American continent alone, there are now approximately 500,000 animals.