Bison calf ‘putting on a show’ at David Traylor Zoo

The David Traylor Zoo is celebrating the birth of a bison calf.

The baby bull was born Monday and weighed almost 50 pounds at birth. He’s strong and healthy, according to Zoo Director Lisa Keith, and the public can see both him and his mom at this time.

The mom, Beulah, came from a private herd owned by Randall, Kristi and Cliff Schankie of Madison almost exactly three years ago. Bill, the father, is 20 years old — near the end of a typical bison life cycle, but Keith says he’s doing well.

As far as the calf, it may not be named locally — unlike other baby animals born at the zoo previously. Keith says there is at least a chance it may go to another zoo, which would reduce the chances of a public naming contest.

Baby and Beulah can be seen in the exhibit space just north of the official bison exhibit.

Noon Thursday: Zoo announces birth of bison calf

Almost three years to the day after Beulah the bison came to the David Traylor Zoo, she has had a baby.

The zoo says Beulah gave birth to a bull Monday after mating with another bison, Bill. The calf weighs almost 50 pounds. Zoo staff say he is strong and healthy.

American bison can grow to 6.5-feet tall at the shoulder and can weigh at least a ton at full maturity. Their horns can also grow to be up to two feet long. Each bison can eat around 15 pounds of grass, herbs, shrubs and twigs per day. Bison live 15-20 years on average.

Bison were plentiful on the Great Plains for centuries but were nearly eliminated by 1880. Bison have made a comeback, with around 200,000 in national parks, preserves, tribal lands, zoos and herds.

Beulah, who came from a private herd owned by Randall, Kristi and Cliff Schankie of Madison, and baby will remain in an exhibit just north of the official bison exhibit until both can be reintroduced to Bill.