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National Bison Day 2023
November 4 @ 10:30 am - 3:30 pm
Celebrate National Bison Day at AWCC!
Bring the family down for a fun filled day at AWCC! We’ll be celebrating the American bison, the restoration efforts for the species, as well as their ecological, cultural, and historical contributions as the national mammal of the United States. On this day AWCC celebrates the wood bison sub-species (Bison bison athabascae). Read the full history of their restoration HERE.
Schedule of Events:
All events listed below are FREE with admission!
10:30AM to 3PM Hay rides around AWCC
11AM – 12PM Animal Keeper Chat at Cow Wood Bison Habitat – Come learn all about wood bison from our knowledgeable Animal Care staff!
12PM – 3:30PM Educational Programs & Crafts in Bison Hall – Join the education staff in Bison Hall for arts & crafts, as well as fun educational programs. Activities will include watercolor bookmark making, bison themed games & biofacts, and more!
Discounts in the Be Wild Gift Shop
Enjoy 10% off Bison related products in the Be Wild Gift Shop!
Fun Facts about Wood Bison
Given their size as the largest mammals in North America, bison are surprisingly agile with an ability to swim well, jump up to six feet, and run between 35 and 40 mph.
The American bison is not only the country’s official mammal; the bison is also the state mammal of Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Kansas. President Obama, with the support of a broad coalition of Native American tribes, wildlife support groups, and concerned members of the Senate, signed a 2015 law making the proud and majestic bison our national mammal. This law helps to protect bison from extinction and encourages a return back to their native tribal lands.
Bison and buffalo are not the same. Bison are native to North and South America and Europe, while the traditional home of the buffalo is in Africa and Asia. At the height of their magnificence, there were between 30 and 60 million bison in the New World circa the 16th century. Today, there are currently half a million bison roaming happily across North America.
Fun Facts Source: https://nationaltoday.com/national-bison-day/
