Mamma's Protection

by American Landscapes

Title

Mamma's Protection

Artist

American Landscapes

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

Plains bison were introduced onto Camp Pendleton in 1973 as a gift from the San Diego Zoo. From 1973-1979, 14 total bison were presented to the base. The bison herd was last surveyed in 2015, and now consist of approximately 90+ individuals. It along with another herd on Santa Catalina Island are the only two wild conservation herds of bison in California. The base has a robust bison herd management plan that was written in 2015, it is included in 2018's Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan and is around 15 pages in length. Although the base conducts some animal management activities to ensure the health of the ecosystem and specific populations, as long as animals are not a threat to the public, the ecosystem, or the Marine Corps' ability to train they are mostly left alone to live and die naturally. Sometimes, rangecommanders have to suspend training while bison are allowed to move on to another location on their own or "encouraged" through non-threatening means.

The area that the bison roam is mountainous with rocky outcroppings and vast grasslands which makes an ideal environment. It is believed that the thick chaparral and steep terrain have kept the herd from roaming onto the adjacent Cleveland National Forest and they are fortunate that Camp Pendleton has plenty of grassland and several spring–fed ponds. The numerous oak trees on Pendleton offer bison shade on hot days while the Base’s firebreaks and back roads provide the bison with easy walking paths. They have no natural predators except for the native mountain lion which will seek out very weak adults or young.

Uploaded

July 13th, 2020

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