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Earlier this spring, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance’s Great Plains Field Conservation and Veterinary Medicine teams joined partners from the Denver Mountain Parks Foundation, Colorado State University and Lewis TallBull for two bison immobilization field days at Daniels Park.
The collaborative effort supports the monitoring and management of one of Colorado’s oldest bison herds while helping advance long-term grassland conservation goals.
During the field days, two bulls and two cows were fitted with GPS collars, while the remainder of the herd received lightweight GPS ear tags. The tracking devices will help conservation teams monitor the herd as the animals begin exploring a new pasture on Highlands Ranch Backcountry Wilderness Area (HRBWA).
The GPS collars provide location updates every 15 minutes, while the ear tags report hourly. This information allows teams to quickly respond if an animal moves outside designated areas and provides valuable insight into how the herd uses the landscape. By understanding movement patterns and grazing behavior, conservationists can make informed decisions about pasture management and habitat stewardship.
While the bison were briefly immobilized for the procedure, our Veterinary Medicine team also collected DNA samples and other health data to assess the herd’s overall wellbeing and better understand its genetic lineage. These health assessments help ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the population.
The project is part of a broader effort to restore bison to their native grassland ecosystems. Daniels Park and HRBWA offer a unique opportunity for that work, as they contain some of Colorado’s few remaining untilled prairie landscapes. These intact grasslands provide important habitat for wildlife and allow bison to play their historic role in shaping healthy prairie ecosystems.
