Bison, like cattle, are routinely handled to maintain herd health and meet the requirements of various regulatory agencies for diseases such as tuberculosis and brucellosis. Injuries and death during handling are more frequent in bison than in cattle, which have been bred for calm temperaments. Bison often break off a horn cap, gore one another, attempt to jump out or smash through a holding pen, and even die due to excessive stress caused by handling. These bison are termed "self-culling" for if they manage to survive the experience, their owners are likely to sell them. Calm handling of bison, an excitable animal, requires attention to detail and strategies that differ greatly from traditional animal handling, including cattle handling.
Jennifer L. Lanier, Temple Grandin, A. Chaffin, T. Chaffin |
Apr 1999 |
Online resource
