| Wyvern |
02-17-2015 06:40 PM |
^^^
I am not a hunter but am a carnivore .
Does anyone really think he picked up a gun and went to Catalina Island and figured " Hey I should shoot me one of the Bison" ???
Catalina Island Conservancy
Q: Are bison native to Catalina?
A: No. The bison were introduced to Catalina. Fourteen were brought to the Island in the 1924 for the making of a film. The animals were left on the Island and proliferated. The herd grew as large as perhaps 600 individuals.
Q: Since bison are not native, why do you keep them on Catalina?
A: Over the near century of residence on the Island, bison have become an expected feature, almost iconic, to the Island traveler. A number of tours, literature and attractions feature the bison, which have become rather famous. In 2003, the Conservancy commissioned a scientific study of the bison and their impact on the Island. According to the study, the bison suffer from a poor diet due to frequent drought conditions and a history of overgrazing by other non-native herbivores. The study also found that the animals are significantly smaller than mainland bison, and appear in relatively poor nutritional condition.
The study additionally concluded that while a large, unrestricted herd of bison can be detrimental to some of the more fragile native habitats, a small herd of anout 150 restricted to certain areas of the Island could be sustained without causing undue stress to native plant communities. The Conservancy is sensitive to the wants and needs of the resident community, and has adopted this strategy.
Q: Is it true that the Conservancy’s intent is to eliminate bison on the Island?
A: No. In fact, the Conservancy is committed to maintaining a herd of between 150 and 200 animals, the number determined through a scientific study to be optimum for keeping both the herd and the Island ecosystem healthy. |
