by Elaine Kachala
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| Photo by Michael Kachala |
It might surprise you to learn that one of the largest free-roaming herds of bison lives in a state park! Recently, I had the incredible experience of visiting Antelope Island State Park. Located in Utah, United States, it’s the largest island in the middle of Great Salt Lake and home to remarkable wildlife.
Great Salt Lake is five times saltier than the ocean—five times! Why so salty, you might ask? The Lake is in a basin (a dip or depression in the Earth’s surface), so there is no natural outlet. Water feeding the Lake from rainfall, rivers, and streams can only leave by evaporation. These sources carry small amounts of salts and minerals left behind and build up over thousands of years. Great Salt Lake is what remains of prehistoric Lake Bonneville, which dates back 30,000 years.
It’s so salty that no species of fish can survive. But brine shrimp and the larvae of brine flies live there, and they attract millions of birds yearly. Antelope Island is a paradise for bird breeding, migration stopovers, and birdwatching.
The Island is also home to antelopes. Well, not actually antelopes. Pronghorns. Although their scientific name means “American antelope goat,” pronghorns aren’t antelope. But in 1843, explorer John C. Freemont called them antelopes and named the Island in their honor because he valued them as a vital food source.
Cool Facts About Bison:
Weight: 900-2000 lbs (408-907 kgs)
Diet: Grass and flowering plants
Speed: 40 mph (64 kph)
Lifespan: 20 years
Natural predators: wolves (no wolves on Antelope Island)
Bison vs. Buffalo: Buffalo are distant cousins. American bison are unique to North America.
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| Photo by Michael Kachala |
But the Island’s most famous residents are bison. These days, between 500-700 bison are roaming free. And it’s all thanks to two conservationists from Utah, William Glassman, and John Dooly. They saw the need to preserve and protect this once-vast herd. Millions of bison used to roam North America. By the late 1800s, hunting brought them close to extinction. In 1893, the two men brought twelve bison to the Island by boat. They became the foundation for one of the oldest and largest herds in the world.
Caution! Don’t Approach the Bison.” Today, you'll see these signs throughout the Park with information about “how close is too close?” If the bison stops grazing, sleeping, or doing other activities to look at you, you're too close! If the bison stares at you and raises its tail, it's about to charge.
We followed the Park’s rules and watched the bison from our car. They were grazing with tails wagging. We stepped out of the car to take a photo, still keeping our distance. But as we watched, even though we were far away, their tails became still; they stopped grazing and looked up. Time to go!
Human history on Antelope Island began with Indigenous peoples. Then explorers, pioneers, and ranchers all called the Island home. In 1981, the State of Utah bought the Island as a state park. Protecting its fragile ecosystem was a top priority. The State partnered with different organizations, such as the Nature Conservancy. Together, they host education and outreach programs.
The annual bison roundup is another protective measure. Horseback riders worldwide register to help round up the bison into corrals for a veterinary check. Visitors can watch! Since there's only enough food and water on the island for 500-700 bison each year, dozens are auctioned at the roundup. They’re sent to other herds around the country to increase genetic diversity. The money from the auction helps raise funds for conservation efforts on the Island.
A lot is happening on Antelope Island. You can learn about science and history. Revel in geologic marvels. Or you can hike, bike, kayak, camp, star-gaze, and more!
References
Canadian Geographic. https://www.canadiangeographic.ca/article/animal-facts-pronghorn
Smithsonian. https://www.si.edu/object/what-makes-great-salt-lake-so-great:yt_csP5KtR72nU
The Nature Conservancy. https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/the-great-salt-lake-shorelands-preserve/
Utah
Government. Antelope Island State Park.
https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/antelope-island/
and https://www.utahtravelsecrets.com/antelopeislandstatepark.html
Utah Government. History To Go. https://historytogo.utah.gov/lake-bonneville/
Utah History Encyclopedia. https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/l/LAKE_BONNEVILLE.shtml
Utah Government. State Parks. Antelope Island. https://stateparks.utah.gov/stateparks/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2015/02/AISP-Ed-Packet-History.pdf
Utah Government. State Parks. Antelope Island State Park Junior Ranger Activity Guide. https://stateparks.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2019/05/AISP-Jr.-Ranger-Booklet.pdf
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