plains bison

Bison bison
 bison.JPG
Meet PT:

PT was born at the BC Wildlife Park in 2001. 
Habitat

Plains bison predominantly lived in the Great Plains of North America.

Diet

Bison are completely herbivorous grazing animals, primarily consuming grass and sedges. 
Reproduction

A herd of bison will all have young at the same time (April - June) to flood the landscape with young. This is called 'predator swamping'.

Distribution

Plains bison once ranged from the Gulf of Mexico to the Appalachians, and north into the Great Plains.

 

 

 

 

Mountain goat

oreamnos americanus
meet gerrard and cloud:

Both Gerrard and Cloud were born at the Calgary Zoo and transferred to the BC Wildlife Park. Gerrard was born in May 2003 and arrived in November 2003; Cloud was born in May 2014 and arrived in November 2014.
Habitat

Found only on the steep slopes of North America's Rocky Mountain Range, where boreal forests meets the rocky inclines.

Diet
Herbivorous, consuming high mountain vegetation, primarily grasses, mosses, lichens, herbs, and tender parts of woody plants.                          
Reproduction

Mountain goats have a gestation period of 147-178 days and young are born in either late May or early June.

Distribution
Found from Alaska to British Columbia, the mountain goat's wild population is not at risk.                        

 

 

 

mule deer

odocelious hemionus
Bonus Fact:
Mothers will leave fawn unattended for hours at a time, usually lightly hidden. These fawn will often be seen by humans as lost, injured, or abandoned, but they are not. Please do not approach or move deer fawn found in the wild.                         
Habitat
Reside in large, densely wooded forests and mountain edges.                          
Diet

Completely herbivorous, mule deer will eat grasses, herbs, dry leaves, lichen, and buds, as well as twigs during the winter.
Reproduction
Similar to other cervids, males will lose and regrow their antlers every year, using them to fight for access to females. Females give birth in May and June birthing up to four, but more commonly 2 fawns.                                                  
Distribution
Due to their prominence in mountainous and forest edge environments, Mule deer can be found across most of western North America from Alaska into California.                         
 
 
 
rocky mountain big horn sheep
Ovis canadensis canadensis
 Big Horn Sheep
meet robson and elbert:

Both Robson and Elbert were born at the Park in May 2015 and May 2016.
Habitat

Rocky mountain big horn sheep refer rocky alpine slopes and open fields. 

Diet

Rocky mountain big horn sheep are herbivorous eating grass, sage, and sedges, as well as commonly searching out mineral licks such as salt deposits. 
Reproduction

Mating season beings in fall as many different herds of Bighorn Sheep gather together. Males will begin fighting to show dominance and mate. Lambs are born in the Spring on secluded mountain ledges and are nursed for 4-6 months. 

Distribution

Found along the rocky mountains in Alberta and B.C., through western United States, into northern Mexico and Baja California. 
 
 
 
white tailed deer
odocelious virginianus
meet pancakes:

The Park is home to one rescued male white-tailed deer named Pancakes. Pancakes was born in 2009 and came to the Park in December 2010.
Habitat

Any forested, bushy area can be inhabited by deer, leading to their wide distribution.

Diet
As herbivores, their diet is primarily leafy greens, grasses, and herbs; however, will also consume mushrooms and fruits. In winter, they will eat twigs, buds, and any accessible leafy greens.                          
Reproduction

Like mule deer or elk, males will fight for access to females during the mating season, using their antlers. Females give birth in May and June birthing 1 to 2 fawn which can stand within minutes, but are very feeble.

Distribution
Now occupying much of Canada from the east coast to interior B.C. and the Yukon.                          

 

 

przewalski's horse

equus caballus przewalskii 
Meet Takhi and Napoleon:

Takhi and Napoleon became residents of the BCWP in November of 2020. Takhi, the female, was born in Quebec in 2007, while Napoleon, the male, was born in Ontario in 2008.
Habitat:

These horses are native to the rocky and dry steep habitats of east Asia.

Diet:

Przewalski's horses are herbivorous, eating grass, leaves, and shrubs.
Reproduction

Females or "mares," and their young will live in groups led by one dominant male stallion, while other bachelor stallions will live in groups called bachelor herds. Mares will give birth to 1-2 foals every 2 years.

Distribution

Originally found across large areas of east Asia, from China & Mongolia to Kazakstan, Iran, & Pakistan. Today these horses have been reintroduced along the Mongolia-China border.