The land around the Rawhide
Energy Station is home to
two herds of American bison. Their ancestors
roamed the plains around Rawhide and northern Colorado. The bison herds
serve as Platte River’s environmental ambassadors, demonstrating
that wildlife can coexist in harmony with responsibly operated generation
facilities.
The original herd
was purchased in November 1983 from a ranch in Wray, Colorado. This
original herd numbered nine cows, 10
calves and one mature
bull, "The Duke of Wellington." The animals are descendents
of a Haxtun, Colorado, herd begun over 50 years ago by the Roger Cunningham
family whose herd descended from the herd at Custer State Park in South
Dakota.
The herd was purchased
through an "Adopt-a-Buffalo" program
proposed by Platte River's first general manager Albert J. Hamilton
and approved by Platte River's Board of Directors. A total of 28
businesses, groups and individuals donated funds to purchase the original
herd, including 21 Platte River employees.
Herd counts have ranged from 20 to 51. The original herd was split into
an upper and lower herd in 1999 to preserve bloodlines. As of April 2010,
the lower herd has 14 animals plus Zuni; the upper herd has 15 animals
plus Viking.
There are currently
two herd bulls--Ft. Peck's Mandan Bear "Viking" (born
in 1999) and Zuni Red Bird (born in 1994). Each bull weighs approximately
one ton (2,000 lbs).
Since 1986, Platte River has entered numerous animals in the National
Bison Association (NBA) Gold Trophy Show and Sale at the National Western
Stock Show each January. These animals have received many awards in addition
to many honorable mentions.
Since 2007, Platte
River has entered animals in the Peak to Peak Bison Show and Sale
winning numerous awards.
In 1997, Platte
River was named producer of the year during the NBA Gold Trophy Show
and Sale at the National Western Stock
Show, receiving the
Tony Heim Memorial Award. In 2010, Platte River was named producer of
the year at the Peak to Peak Bison Show and Sale.
Platte River employees are responsible for herd management and provide
water, supplemental feed and rotate the herds from pasture to pasture
in addition to assisting the herd veterinarian, Dr. Robert Mortimer,
DVM, Colorado State University, when needed.
For information
on purchasing through private treaty, contact bison@prpa.org
