Baby buffalo born at Buffalo Rock State Park

[APRIL 30, 2005]  OTTAWA -- A baby buffalo was born at 7 a.m. April 25 at Buffalo Rock State Park, located in north-central Illinois. The sex of the newborn calf is undetermined, but the baby and mother are reported to be in good health.

"Spring is the time when many animals give birth," said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Joel Brunsvold. "This is especially a joyous event."

In order to allow the newborn to bond with its mother, an American bison named Holly, staff members from the Department of Natural Resources are maintaining a distance from the baby. Using binoculars, Bureau County veterinarian Dr. Merlyn Holmbeck did a long-distance exam of the newborn buffalo -- observing the baby, the mother and their interaction. Observations indicate the baby and mother are in good health.

The new mother buffalo was recently donated to Buffalo Rock State Park from Wildlife Prairie State Park in Peoria. She was pregnant at the time she was relocated. Buffalo Rock State Park and Wildlife Prairie State Park in Peoria are the only Illinois state parks that are home to buffalo.

"We won't know the sex of the baby for about two weeks," said Tony Mayville, director of land management for the Department of Natural Resources. "We want to give the mother and baby plenty of time and space to bond. That also means we won't name the baby for a couple of weeks, until we know its sex."

"For now, the mother, Holly, doesn't want any humans coming near her baby, and we are respecting her need for distance," Mayville said.

Wildlife biologists with the Department of Natural Resources say this is an example of an important reminder: When encountering young wildlife or nesting birds, "Do not disturb."

[Illinois Department of Natural Resources news release]

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