Crane Trust aims to diversify bison genetics

WOOD RIVER, Neb. - - There's a special new member to the Crane Trust bison herd. 

One of the bison gave birth to a black calf, which is notable because black fur is a recessive trait. 

Crane Trust range manager Josh Wiese said it's uncommon. 

“You’re talking about a 30 to 60,000,000 bison in the 1800s that were reduced down to about 200 or a little over 200 by the late 1800s," Wiese said. "So black bison babies may have been a more common thing, but their genetics have been so reduced, that is now a very, very, very rare thing to see these black babies out there.”

According to Wiese, the calf’s dad is believed to be from the herd they purchased back in 2020 and has history of producing black calves.

Wiese says the black bison calf helps tell the story of how the trust is diversifying genetics. Around 155 bison roam on 1,200 acres of Crane Trust property. 

“We really are trying to do is not only diversify our genetics but really add to the national recovery effort, to international recovery effort of bison genetics a whole,” said Wiese.

To make sure they know who the dad is, they will be doing genetic testing during the fall and winter. 

“Kind of exciting to see this young bull come in and hopefully get some work done and see these black calves and we’ve not had any more black calves yet this year," said Wiese. "We’ve had a few that are a little bit darker compared to that natural, reddish cinnamon color that most of our calves have but we’re hoping that you know this is sort of the sign that these young bulls are kind of reaching breeding age.”