Bison calf born over Memorial Day weekend at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

An American bison calf made a memorable entrance over Memorial Day weekend at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. Born May 24, the calf is thriving in the park’s 435-acre Free-Roaming Area and has already become a guest favorite.

Keepers had been closely observing the calf’s mother, 4-year-old Sunny, who was expected to give birth around this time following a typical 285-day gestation. In keeping with natural behavior, she separated herself from the herd to give birth and spent a few quiet days bonding with her newborn before rejoining the group. The calf’s sex is yet to be confirmed, and the keepers plan to name it soon.

“Sunny is attentive and nurturing,” McCloskey said. “We’ve seen the calf nursing regularly, and it’s staying close by her side as it grows stronger.”

Guests can now see the pair with the rest of the herd on Discovery Tram Tours, Wild Drives, or Keeper Adventure Tours. With its rusty-orange coat and already hefty size—newborn bison typically weigh 40 to 50 pounds—the calf stands out among the older, darker bison as it explores the grasslands on increasingly steady legs.

“Watching a newborn bison calf wobble after its mother, then duck under her to nurse, is a heartwarming experience for park guests,” said McCloskey.

Bison once roamed the Great Plains in vast numbers. Tens of millions lived across North America until their population dropped to fewer than 1,000 by the early 1900s due to overhunting and habitat loss. Thanks to decades of conservation work by groups like the American Bison Society, the species has rebounded.

Northwest Trek’s bison legacy began in 1971 when six bison were transferred from the National Bison Range in Montana. By the time the park opened to the public on July 17, 1975, the herd was already established. With this new arrival, Northwest Trek is now home to 16 bison. 

“Each new calf represents a success story in wildlife conservation and a living connection to America’s wild past,” said McCloskey.