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We at the U.S Fish and Wildlife Refuge had a truly remarkable event take place at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa: the birth of a rare white bison. Only one in a million bison calves born with this unique coloring in the wild.
“This birth brings excitement to our staff and also draws visitors eager to see the white bison,” Refuge Manager Scott Gilje said. “It’s an extraordinary moment for us to share the story of bison conservation, while highlighting the vital grassland stewardship we pursue at the refuge.”
At Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, there are currently 82 bison, with 13 calves born this year. Several cows appear to be pregnant, so more calves are expected this year. During calving season, refuge staff conduct weekly routine checks, and they first observed the white bison right after its birth.
In the heart of the midwest, bison once roamed in vast numbers, with estimate suggesting that between 30 to 60 million bison lived before the westward settlement. Tallgrass prairies provide ideal habitat for these massive mammals.
The arrival of the white bison at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge helps highlight the refuge’s mission to restore 4,000 acres of Iowa’s once-vast tallgrass prairie and inspires the public to understand the importance of the National Wildlife Refuge System. This protected network of public lands across the United States is dedicated to conserving wildlife, plants and their habitats while providing recreational opportunities to visitors. Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge has maintained a bison herd since the mid-1990s and is one of only five national wildlife refuges in the country with bison.
