I have been working with Alaska Dept of Fish and Game on reintroducing Wood Bison to Alaska. We had Wood Bison here until about 150 years ago. They were killed off by natives to feed their families, not understanding what they were doing to the Wood Bison. They just thought their area was getting low on Bison, not realizing they were the last ones.
USF&W has had a hands off approch since the beginning. Some directors did not like the program, and refused to take part in any talks about where to release the herd. Others were just totally indefferant and did not care. All said they would not have anything to do with the herd before or after release. They would classify it as an experimental herd, with no standing with them. They issued us a permit to that affect, and in the listing they said the herd was open for hunting as directed by Alaska Dept of Fish and Game.
Alaska then went ahead and jumped through hoops to get a small herd from Canada. Once the herd arrived we took them to Portage, down near Anchorage. The Bison are living in a large fenced enclosure till we can assure they are disease free. The herd has been growing while there. Wood Bison are considered preditor resistant, due to their size. They are just too big for Wolves, or Bears to mess with. The Cows, and the rest of the herd are very protective of the Calves. No Grizzly wants to mess with that Mama, of Herd. It's now been two years and we are ready to make the first release.
Got word yesterday USF&W listed Wood Bison as ENDANGERED. Continued below