Recently, bison were photographed roaming plains in the Mexican state of Coahuila, after 100 years of having disappeared from that region (due to overhunting).
The American plains bison (Bison bison bison) is the largest terrestrial mammal of the North American continent. Thousands of years ago, it freely roamed plains in northern México and.
Origin of Bison in Mexico
Bison have roamed North America for millions of years. In the history of México, archives record bison herds roaming since 700 B.C. to the 1800’s.
Bison in Mexico
In present times, bison habitat on the plains of the Mexican states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Durango.
Pigmentation
Bison have thick shaggy, long dark brown fur during winter, and light, light brown fur during summer.
Special Features of Mexican Bison
The plains bison (B. b. bison) is considered a sub species. It has a more rounded hump than other species. Males are larger than females. Males and female live in separate bands and come together during mating season. Female bison and offspring make up maternal herds.
Bison travel in herds. They live in river valleys, and roam on prairies and plains. They are herbivores and graze on grass, herbs, shrubs and twigs.
Bison generally weigh more than 600 pounds and can weigh more than 2000 pounds. Their height can reach 2.5 meters. Bison are fast and can run up to 40 miles an hour.
Bison can withstand severe climates.
Ecology and Conservation
In the early 2000’s, through efforts to recover bison in México, a group composed of investigators, organizations and the Mexican government developed a proposal to reintroduce bison.
In 2003, the first genetically pure bison herd was introduced. A ranch in the Janos Biosphere Reserve in the state of Chihuahua received twenty female bisons and three male bisons.
In 2019, the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas del Gobierno de México (CONANP) began reintroduction efforts of a second herd of bison.
In 2020, a second herd of bison was introduced into the reserve “El Carmen” in the state of Coahuila.
The American bison is important to the land as it maintains the soil aired and fertilized for agriculture.
Current overall population of bison has rebounded and is stable on the endangered list.
References
CONANP
National Geographic
Wikipedia
Author: AllGoodsOnline