It will be some time before the David Traylor Zoo adds a new dominant male to its Bison herd following the passing of longtime zoo resident Bill this past weekend.
Bill passed Saturday, leading to a temporary closure of the zoo as staff removed him from the exhibit. Bill leaves behind Beulah, his longtime companion and the newest member of the herd, Ted, who was born just a few years ago and has been steered and therefore cannot be the dominant male of the herd, according to Zoo Director Brenda Young.
At this time, Young says Beulah and Ted are in a “mourning” period of sorts, adjusting to the loss of the herd’s dominant male, a process she says will take some time.
Young says the adjustment period for the herd, along with some planned renovations to the Bison habitat and surrounding facilities, will dictate when the zoo brings in a new dominant male.
Young adds that just like the “mourning period,” the introduction of a new male to the zoo will also be a process.
Bill, who was born at the zoo back in 2003, passed from natural age-related health issues as was determined by a full examination by the zoo’s veterinarian this past weekend. Bill, who was 22 at the time of his passing, was considered geriatric for a Bison with the species average lifespan ranging between 15-20 years.
