Drought Forces Relocation of Kansas Bison Herd

Bison herd on the Maxwell Game Preserve in McPherson County.  (Photo from www.TravelKS.com)GARDEN CITY, Kan. (AP) — The ongoing drought prompted the state to temporarily move a bison herd from the Sandsage Bison and Wildlife Area near Garden City.  The 40 bison were moved to the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge in McPherson County.  The Garden City Telegram reports 10 bison were left at the Sandsage area. They'll be fed hay until enough forage grows for them to graze.  Tom Norman, area manager for the state wildlife department, says the drought has reduced forage in the Sandsage area. He says normal precipitation is 18 inches per year and the 3,670-acre wildlife area has not been able to recover from years of below-average precipitation.  The herd has been consistently reduced since 2002 but pastures still aren't able to keep up with the bison's forage needs.