March 28, 2024

Gentle Giants

Buffalo take spotlight at refuge Bison Day

Image 1 of 4

PRAIRIE CITY – Prior to the 19th century, the American bison ruled the North American prairies. From the 14-inch curved horns to their intimidating monstrous size, these shaggy beasts are truly a sight to behold.

After their population was nearly decimated from commercial hunting and slaughter, nowadays, only a few lucky people can catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures.

Saturday, another herd of American mammals returned to the prairie in the hundreds. Although, this herd was a lot smaller in stature, walked on two legs, bore horns made of paper and spoke English, these furry creatures roamed Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Prairie City to spin rope, practice their archery and pet some other cute animals. Many of them said they had a blast.

“(Bison Day) was so fun,” 5-year-old visitor from Des Moines, Addi Fegter said. “I want to pet (the real bison at the refuge), but they get so big.”

To celebrate the roughly 70 bison that live in the 700-acre enclosure at the refuge, Neal Smith NWR hosted their annual Bison Day on Saturday, attracting more than 1,000 people to its learning center. At the free event, families were treated to a variety of activities, from making buffalo horn crowns to feeling many different furs that once belonged to animals native to the tallgrass prairies.

“Last year’s event was big. It does seem like we had more people (this year). We ran out of parking pretty early,” Neal Smith biologist Karen Viste-Sparkman said. “We want to get a lot of people out here and get them engaged.”

With participation from several local organizations, including Blank Park Zoo, the Iowa Trappers Association and the Prairie City Historical Society, NSNWR staff and volunteers educated visitors about the importance of the bison and the need to actively preserve and support the tallgrass prairie ecosystem.

“I like watching the kids come here. They really need an education. It is amazing how many kids there are in Iowa who really don’t really have a chance to see and understand animals,” former congressman and refuge namesake, Neal Smith said at the event. “The bison have no fear. They fear nothing. Almost all animals live in fear each day.”

According the organizers, by having several activities, from an invasive species station to bison-themed arts and crafts, the refuge is able to get children inspired to support the refuge, and hopefully carry over the importance of the prairie from generation to generation.

“The kids are our future. We do this so they can appreciate what they have and we need the public to support what we are doing here,” Viste-Sparkman said. “Getting kids outside to get more exercise and connected with nature is also great. So many kids are growing up cities and places where they don’t have as much contact with nature.”

At the event, attendees were also able to learn how to shoot an arrow, make rope and witnessed demonstrations of hide cutting and Wigwam, the domed dwelling previously used by Native Americans. The visitors were also treated to Native American stories about the prairie and the buffalo.

“A big part of what we are doing is restoring prairie and the native ecosystems. Bison are really important to that. They are important historically, for the Native Americans early, to their culture, and just celebrating the prairie,” Viste-Sparkman said. “We want people sharing with their friends what they learned here, and connect them with the past.”

Several visitors who came to the refuge outside of Prairie City said it was important for them to educate their children about how the North American grasslands, while supporting an animal that they grew up cherishing and admiring.

“We came out here to see the buffalo... We just want to be part conservation and show our kids what everyone here is trying to do,” Grinnell mother, Cigi Muckler said. “This is our first time out in the refuge. It’s great. We think it is really nice.”

The event was capped off with a bison chip throwing contest, with the winners walking away with some fabulous prizes. Buffalo burgers and hot dogs were also served at the event. The festivities also featured live music, tours of the facility and native pollinator plant giveaways.

“The bison have been around forever. They are just so neat to see,” Addi’s grandmother, Jacque Fegter said. “I just love all those westerns. So this was right up my alley. We truly enjoyed it.”

For more information about the refuge, call 515-994-3400, visit fws.gov/refuge/neal_smith/ or find Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge on Facebook.

Contact Anthony Victor Reyes at areyes@myprairiecitynews.com.