The Cape May County Zoo is excited to announce a new addition to the American bison herd.
On Aug. 18, the zoo’s female bison, Beverley, gave birth to her very first calf. Bison calves weigh between 30 and 70 pounds at birth and are reddish in color.
“Beverley’s new baby was born in the bison habitat right around noon on Thursday afternoon. Her calf is strong and healthy, and mom is taking very good care and is very protective of her,” Dr. Alexander Ernst, associate zoo veterinarian, said in a news release.
After about two months, the calf will begin to develop shoulder humps and horns and the reddish color will turn to brown. The calf is usually weaned by seven months and will stay with its mother for about one year. Gestation is nine months and female bison cows give birth to a single calf.
“We are thrilled to announce the new addition to our zoo family. The variety of species that call our zoo home allows visitors to see up close animals they would not typically see living in the Northeast region of the United States,” said County Commissioner E. Marie Hayes, liaison to the Parks and Zoo.
American bison are symbolic animals of the Great Plains and are often mistakenly called buffalo. Bison grow 5 to 6.5 feet tall at the shoulder and can weigh over a ton.
They have curved, sharp horns that can grow to be two feet long. They are herbivores and graze and feed on plains grasses, herbs, shrubs and twigs. Their average lifespan is 15 to 20 years.
“Beverley’s calf is the newest addition to our familial herd here at the zoo that includes dad, mom, and four older siblings. This little calf can be seen daily in the North American Prairie habitat,” Ernst said.
The Cape May County Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is free to the public. Cape May County Park is open from 7 a.m. until dusk daily. For more information, visit CMCZoo.com.
