Denver donates 33 bison to tribal nations

The city and county of Denver donated 33 bison to tribal nations Monday in an effort to support Native American conservation herds.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock along with other city officials were on hand at Genesee Park to recognize the donation by Denver Parks and Recreation to the Northern Arapaho Tribe, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes and Tall Bull Memorial Council.

Fifteen of the animals were transferred to the Northern Arapaho Tribe in Wyoming; 17 to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes in Oklahoma; and one to the Tallbull Memorial Council in Colorado.

The city said this is the first bison transfer to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of 17 yearlings. Last year, the city presented 13 bison to the Oklahoma tribe.

This bison donation is part of the city’s effort to return the animals to their native homes, while supporting conservation efforts, on tribal land.