Wood Bison Restoration in Alaska
Movements after Release

Bison Herd Locations:

As of October 2015, the core range of the reintroduced wood bison herd was within 30 miles of Shageluk, except for two lone bison that explored habitats along the Yukon River from Russian Mission to Galena.

In the first six months after the release, about 90% of the wood bison stayed within 30 miles of the release location (approximately 4 miles north of Shageluk). A few animals made exploratory adventures. The farthest went 155 miles, the second farthest went 86 miles, and a couple of others traveled about 80 miles (all straight line, one-way distances). Almost all animals that have moved long distances have come back to the core area at one time or another.

Map Links

Map of southwestern Alaska

This Google Earth image of southwestern Alaska shows Shageluk, the release site of the wood bison. The Yukon River is the prominent river arcing across the top and passing just west of Shageluk and running south and then west to the Bering Sea.