Friday, November 16, 2012

Bison Auction



As promised, I am finally getting around to posting about the auction while we were at Wichita Mountains NWR.


This bison handling facility was designed by Temple Grandin, an autistic woman, who had a concern for the humane treatment of animals.  It is truly an amazing feat of mazes and gates and catwalks.  So we shall start with a few pictures of it.





The bison are led down a maze with gates that open and shut.  This one is being led to the main area where it will be auctioned off.  Wallace is in this area, helping with the gates.


Skulls are auctioned off as well.



This auction draws a pretty good crowd.


This big boy was first to be auctioned off.  Number 8.  With his head lowered and tail raised, you can tell he was not a happy camper.  He is four years old and weighs 1500 lbs.

Notice his black tongue.  He sold for $4000.00.


This caught my eye.  Real cowboys from all over came to bid.


Their trucks and trailers back up to this gate to load them up.



Notice the concrete ridges on the floor.  That keeps the gate secure while these powerful animals are loaded.



I said goodbye to number 8


as I heard this flock of 30 Sandhill Cranes flying south overhead, reminding us it was time for us to migrate south too.

Until next time...

1 comment:

  1. Those pens are complex looking. Someone put a lot of thought into that system. I guess that raising and selling Bison is a money-maker for the refuge?

    Mark

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