The Highland Wildlife Park welcomed a new arrival to their herd of European Bison earlier this month.
May Day saw the arrival of a calf into one of the UK’s largest European Bison herds. It must be the luck of the Irish in the Scottish Highlands this year, as this youngster is the first calf to be sired by the bull, Tomek, who came to the Highland Wildlife Park from Ireland in July last year.
These powerful animals are Europe’s largest land mammal, with bulls weighing in between a staggering 600kg and 1,000kg, with a shoulder height of up to almost 2 metres. In addition to being successful breeders of this threatened species, The Highland Wildlife Park also manages and co-ordinates the entire European Bison population as holders of the European Endangered Species breeding programme.
The young calf will stay close to first-time mum, Glen Doll, who was herself born at the Park in 2005. In keeping with the Park’s tradition that all bison born at the Park are named after Scottish glens, keepers have named him Glen Garry.
Keepers are already noticing his character and personality since his birth on the 1st of May, and are excited to watch this youngster go from strength to strength. The calf will start venturing further and exploring his new surroundings soon.
