The small herd of bison that roams the sage hills of Hot Springs State Park near Thermopolis may not garner the same attention as its brethren near Jackson, but it has a solid contingent of local fans. 

Each spring, park employees and Thermopolis locals keep a close eye on the herd’s cows in anticipation of calves, Park Superintendent Chris Delay said.

The first birth of 2024 was reported on the final day of April, when an employee spotted a cow that had gone off by herself — a good sign of labor. On further inspection, the staffer saw the tawny-colored calf. 

Delay, a photographer, drove out soon after to see if he could spot the new bison. He found the cow and calf fairly close to the road, and captured this image of the mother cleaning her newborn. 

Bison have inhabited the park since 1916. The herd currently includes two bulls and 13 cows. Plus a growing number of calves. 

“We’re up to four,” Delay said Wednesday. “And we’re hoping for somewhere between nine and 11.” 

Katie Klingsporn reports on outdoor recreation, public lands, education and general news for WyoFile. She’s been a journalist and editor covering the American West for 20 years. Her freelance work has...

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  1. Love the photo. Seeing the Bison is something we look forward to every year when get our Hot Springs fix.

    Reply

  2. Congrats to the new baby snd momma! Let’s hope that herd grows to the hundreds and they can roam freely like they used to,

    Reply