Today, our bison team is heading out to collect
genetic samples from wild bison in Yellowstone's northern range.
For the best results, we perform this work during the rut
when female bison come together to form massive breeding groups.
Walking into this energetic situation requires extreme focus.
The males are aggressive as they fight for the right to breed.
To collect a sample, we fire an air-propelled
biopsy dart from a safe distance of 25 yards.
The dart is designed to remove a skin sample and fall to the ground.
When the bison walks away, we move in and retrieve it.
We inspect and carefully store each sample for analysis.
Yellowstone bison carry a unique set of genetics.
Their descendants from the last two dozen wild bison
that roamed the park in the late 1800s.
The data we collect help us determine the minimum number of bison
we need in our population to ensure genetic diversity, answer your questions
on Yellowstone bison lineage, and track changes in genetic health.
I'm Ramon
Perez, field crew leader with the Yellowstone bison program.