Half cow, half bison hybrids are wreaking havoc in the Grand Canyon
Meet the Beefalo. It's half bison, half cow & some people want it culled https://t.co/EHvn0jCT6p pic.twitter.com/yPvCGWkrWe
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) March 2, 2015Digital Reporter
Tuesday, March 3, 2015, 8:50 AM - In the early 1900s half cow, half bison hybrids (dubbed 'beefalo' or 'cattalo') were introduced to Arizona as part of a beef production breeding program. The practice was abandoned in some places, partly due to low fertility rates. Now, as many as 600 state-owned beefalo are roaming the Grand Canyon and wreaking havoc on the environment.
The animals are a huge tourist draw, despite the risks.
Martha Hahn, science and natural resources manager at the Grand Canyon National Park told the BBC an average of one accident involving a tourist and a beefalo is reported each day.
"If a car gets in the viewshed between a calf and its mother she will ram the car. Drivers have also accidentally hit animals on the road at night," she says.
Beefalo can consume up to 10 gallons of water daily, leaving shallow ponds dry.
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They defecate near watering holes which compacts the soil and makes it difficult for vegetation to grow. Environmentalists say their sheer size and numbers are pushing native species out of the area, throwing the ecosystem out of whack.
"When we're looking at 2-300 bison using this one water source, they can drink it dry pretty quickly," Hahn told the BBC.
"In terms of what could be here, 80% of our vegetation and other species rely on these very limited water sources. Lakes like this in the park and surrounding area - there are probably seven in total. If they're depleted in terms of water those other species will be affected."
Researchers tried to study the impact the animals were having on the environment by fencing off an area, but they broke through the barrier.
It isn't just the natural environment that has locals concerned.
Native American groups say some of their ancient stone ruins have been destroyed when the animals run their large bodies along the structures.
Representatives from the National Park Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Forest Service have been meeting to determine the best course of action.
Some locals are calling for a cull, but a plan isn't expected to be released and rolled out until the fall of 2016.
Sources: BBC | Christian Science Monitor
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