Fort Worth Nature Center bison undergo annual checkup on 240 acres
Staff moved nine bison through a chute for vaccinations and parasite control, a process that also serves as a training exercise for university students.
By Matthew Collins ·
Nine bison at the Fort Worth Nature Center received their annual medical exams on October 29. The procedure required staff to move the animals from a 240-acre pasture into a confined chute, a process that tests both the herd's behavior and the team's coordination.
Jared Hall, the natural resource supervisor at the center, noted that the animals become anxious when caged. To manage this, the team relies on herd dynamics. If a mother bison enters the chute first, her offspring typically follow. This strategy helps keep the throughput steady during the morning session.
The health protocol includes deworming, parasite checks, and respiratory disease vaccines. Female bison also receive a brucellosis shot. These preventative treatments are designed to maintain the health of the herd, which plays a specific role in land management. The bison graze across the 240 acres, helping to manage the vegetation on the property.
Hall described the bison as a historically important component of the nature center's ecosystem. Their interaction with the landscape is a key part of the site's management strategy. The annual roundup is not just a medical event but also a tool for maintaining the physical health of the grazing land.
The operation serves as a practical training ground for students in Texas Christian University's ranch management program. Lee Knox, a TCU professor, said the exercise teaches students about animal behavior and how bison respond to pressure points. It also provides experience in moving large animals through a facility.
For some participants, the event offered a first close-up look at the animals. Jacklyn Chambers, a TCU student, said she had previously only seen the bison from a distance. The experience provided a direct view of their size and movement.
The entire roundup took one morning to complete. After the checkups were finished, the bison were released back to their pasture. The process ended within seconds of the final animal clearing the chute.
Source: KXAS-TV
