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SYRACUSE, Utah (ABC4) — More than 700 bison were corralled at Utah’s Antelope Island State Park on Saturday, Oct. 26, as part of an annual event to prepare the animals for yearly health checkups and an auction.
The Utah Department of Natural Resources said the herd on Antelope Island is “one of the nation’s largest and oldest public bison herds.” Prior to the roundup on Saturday, the animals were in smaller groups on the island.
Hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls rode their horses to help gather the bison into one large herd and usher the animals into a holding corral, where they were to be held for several days before their checkups.
The roundup on Oct. 26 was the first phase of the animals’ annual checkup, but before the next phase, the bison are given some time to rest.
“This rest period helps reduce the animals’ stress levels and allows them to relax, making them more cooperative during the second phase,” the DNR said.
Why are the bison rounded up each year?
Each year, the DNR said 100 to 200 calves are born into the bison herd — and the “manageable herd size” for the island’s bison population is between 500 to 550 bison.
“With no natural predators on the island capable of taking down a bison, it is necessary to artificially reduce the herd size to balance out the food supply,” the DNR said.
Following the initial roundup on Oct. 26, the second phase will take place from Oct. 29 through Oct. 31. The animals will be separated to receive their vaccinations and individual health screenings — including screenings for pregnancy, parasites, or health issues.
Additionally, the bison are given a permanent identifier in the form of an RFID tag, which helps to keep track of their health information in computer records. After going through their checkups, the bison may be released or kept in the corral for auction.
“By selling excess bison at a public auction, park staff are able to keep the herd within a number the habitat can support,” the DNR said.
The 2024 auction for bison from Antelope Island will be held online on Wednesday, Nov. 6. In 2023, nearly 300 animals were sold from Antelope Island, with the average prices for the animals being $1,000 or more, depending on age and other factors.