The Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota, announced the birth of a healthy American bison calf on June 15, 2026. The calf, whose sex has not yet been determined, was born to mother bison, Willow, and father, Dakota.
Zoo officials reported that both mother and calf are doing well and are bonding behind the scenes in the zoo's Northern Trail exhibit. The calf is expected to be introduced to the public in the coming weeks, once it has grown stronger and received its vaccinations.
American bison, also known as buffalo, are the national mammal of the United States. Once numbering in the tens of millions, they were nearly driven to extinction in the 19th century due to overhunting and habitat loss. Conservation efforts, including breeding programs at accredited zoos like the Minnesota Zoo, have helped restore their populations.
The Minnesota Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan for bison, which aims to maintain a healthy and genetically diverse captive population. This birth is a positive step for the conservation of this iconic species.
