High Tide

The CapeMay.com blog

The Cape May County Zoo welcomes a baby bison!

Baby bison with mother Beverly
Baby bison with mother Beverly

A female bison was born at the Cape May County Zoo on August 18th, 2022! You can take a walk to the habitat and see the baby bison from the bridge. Make sure to bring binoculars or quarters to use the view machine as the baby likes to hang out in the far back. Her father, Hank, was sitting under a tree in the shade when we were there, and her mother, Beverly, was standing near the baby. We watched the baby stand up and walk over to her mother to nurse.

Baby bison mother Beverly standing and father Hank sitting down.
Baby bison, mother Beverly standing, and father Hank sitting down.

The baby bison has not yet been named and the Cape May County Zoo will hold a contest to pick one! Keep an eye on the zoo’s Facebook page for updates.

Right now, the zoo isn’t sure if the baby bison will stay in Cape May County. They’ll consult with the Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program and partner institutions to determine the best course of action for this little one. 

Mother Beverley and Baby.
Mother Beverley and Baby.

A few facts:

  • The Cape May County Zoo currently has seven bisons
  • A bison’s gestation period is nine and a half months
  • Baby bison can weigh between thirty and seventy pounds
  • The baby was born on August 18th, 2022 around noon