The Bison on Catalina Island Are in Poor Health – Unseen Research

The Bison on Catalina Island Are in Poor Health – Unseen Research

Encountering bison in an unexpected place, such as Catalina Island, may draw visitors’ attention and boost the sale of related novelties, but this mismatched pairing hasn’t worked out so well for the bison. Studies dating back to the 1970s have repeatedly documented limited forage, poor habitat conditions, and poor nutrition, health, and condition of the…

A hiker standing too close to a bison on Catalina Island.

Bison Attacks on Catalina Island: 10 Detailed Incidents

While bison attacks on Catalina Island are relatively rare, they do happen, and in most instances, they are preventable. While working as a wildlife biologist on the island and assisting in the managment of the bison herd, I documented several bison attacks that resulted in significant injuries and lawsuits. Unlike Yellowstone National Park, where bison…

Catalina Island Bison GPS Collars & Location Data

Catalina Island Bison GPS Collars & Location Data

In 2014 we fitted five Catalina Island bison with global positioning system (GPS) collars to locate the herds systematically and track their movements on the landscape. This article includes information on the GPS collar specifications and a preliminary assessment of the location data we collected. This post complements an earlier article titled Thiafentanil and Medetomidine…

Capturing and Collaring Bison on Catalina Island, California.

Capturing and Collaring Bison on Catalina Island, California.

In 2014 we outfitted five Catalina Island bison cows with Global Positioning System (GPS) collars to support my thesis research through Cal State Fullerton. I coordinated a team of wildlife veterinarians to lead the capture and immobilization process with assistance from several of my Catalina Island Conservancy colleagues. I had originally planned to publish this…

Black and white photo of bison on Catalina Island sourced from 1924 Catalina Islander Newspaper article

The Origin of Bison on Catalina Island – The Complete Timeline of Additions

In 2003, researchers scoured historical records to identify the origin of the bison on Catalina and construct a timeline of bison additions to the Island. Despite their best efforts, much of the timeline before 1969 remained incomplete. Due to conflicting information about where the bison came from, how many were initially introduced to the Island,…