First Genetically Pure Bison Produced With Embryo Transfer Born in Bronx Zoo

By Embryo Transfer

Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo Announces Birth of the First Genetically Pure Bison Calf Ever Produced By Embryo Transfer

The success is the result of collaboration between Colorado State University, USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the American Prairie Reserve, and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

In the fall of 2011 WCS arranged for a group of female bison originating from the American Prairie Reserve to be sent to the CSU's Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory facility in Fort Collins, Colo. to serve as recipients for fertilized embryos from a herd of genetically pure bison managed by USDA-APHIS. Dr. Jennifer Barfield, a CSU reproductive physiologist, and her team collected the embryos non-surgically and implanted them into the surrogate bison.

An ultrasound exam performed two months after the embryo transfers confirmed that one animal was pregnant.

"This science illustrates that we can engineer breeding of pure-bred bison so that their valuable genetics can be incorporated into other herds or used to create new herds," said Dr. Barfield, CSU Assistant Professor. "We are able to produce bison that have pure genetics and are also free of any diseases that can afflict the bison population at Yellowstone."

The pregnant bison and her herdmates were moved to the Bronx Zoo in early April and the calf was born on June 20. The mother, calf, and herd continue to do well and are maintained in a section of the zoo that is not open to the public.

Said Mathew P. McCollum, Wildlife Biologist, USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services:"We are excited about this calf and the use of embryo transfer to help maintain genetically pure bison while also mitigating disease concerns."

Although this group and the calf will not go on exhibit, zoo visitors can see American bison on the Bronx Zoo's bison range.

Photo Credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

A second round of embryo transfer will be attempted with the herd of surrogate females in the fall, with the goal of eventually establishing a breeding herd of genetically pure bison.

Said Dr. Pat Thomas, WCS Vice President/Bronx Zoo General Curator and Associate Director: "The Bronx Zoo played an important historical role in the recovery of the American bison. By establishing a pure herd the zoo will be, in essence, returning to its roots. The offspring of these bison will be used in future restoration programs and to establish herds in other AZA-accredited zoos."

The bison is an American conservation success story. In the early 1900's, the bison was on the verge of extinction â€" numbering less than 1,100 individuals after roaming North America in the tens of millions only a century earlier. In 1907 and 1913, the Bronx Zoo sent two herds of bison out west to re-establish the species. Today, bison number in the hundreds of thousands in the U.S. and are found in state and national parks, wildlife refuges, and on tribal and private lands. However the vast majority of present-day bison have traces of domestic cattle genes, a reflection of past interbreeding efforts when western ranchers tried to create a hardier breed of cattle. Bison from Yellowstone National Park are among the few genetically pure animals left.

The Wildlife Conservation Society is continuing its tradition of using science-based solutions both in the field and in its wildlife parks to maintain viable bison populations and preserve this icon of American heritage. One goal within this vision is to create and maintain ecologically functional herds of bison with sound genetics.

On May 25th, WCS, the Intertribal Buffalo Council, and the National Bison Association announced the launch of a campaign to make the American bison the national mammal of the United States. The announcement coincided with the introduction of the National Bison Legacy Act in the U.S. Senate, which if passed would officially make that designation. The bill was recently introduced to the House of Representatives and currently has the support of 17 Senators, four Representatives, and diverse coalition of organizations and businesses.

Visit www.votebison.org for more information and to support this legislation.

The Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays, 5:30 p.m. weekends. Adult admission is $16.95, children (3-12 years old) $11.95, children under 3 are free, seniors (65+) are $14.95. Parking is $14 for cars and $16 for buses. The Bronx Zoo is conveniently located off the Bronx River Parkway at Exit 6; by train via the #2 or #5 or by bus via the #9, #12, #19, #22, MetroNorth, or BxM11 Express Bus service (from Manhattan that stops just outside the gate.) To plan your trip, visit bronxzoo.com or call 718-367-1010.

Audio slideshow available here:

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.