The Antelope Island Bison Roundup — a fall tradition in Utah — took place Saturday, with horseback riders pushing the large animals from the Fielding Garr Ranch north to holding corrals near Whiterock Bay.
In all, about 700 bison were expected to be rounded up on the island, a state park located near Syracuse in Davis County. The herd will rest for a few days and then each animal will be checked, one at a time, receiving vaccinations and health screenings. They also receive a small external computer chip to store health information.
Each year, between 100 and 150 calves are born on the 28,000-acre island, creating a herd that is too large for the available food supply. To keep things in check, about 200 animals are sold at an auction, which will be held this year on Nov. 10
The revenue generated through the sale is used for operating costs, habitat improvements and research. Some funds also go toward fire protection and weed management.