DENVER ( KDVR ) — The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is filled with trails and spots to see wildlife, but if you’re heading there for the first time this season, you may notice some new additions to the bison herd.
The birthing season for bison is underway at the refuge. The National Parks Service said the majority of bison calves have April and May birthdays, and that includes the newest baby bison at the refuge.
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Sarah Metzer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said the total baby count at the refuge was 31 calves as of Tuesday. The calves are coming quickly, as less than a week ago, there were only 11 calves. The herd most likely isn’t done growing yet. Usually, Metzer said, there are about 40 calves each season.
The calves come before the mating season, or rut, which usually takes place each year from June to September, according to the National Parks Service.
The calves are joining the herd with a usual count of about 200 to 250 at the refuge. Metzer estimates that with the new calves, there will be about 220 bison. However, Metzer said the refuge won’t know the total amount of bison in the herd until the annual count in the fall…