Hugheses’ bison continue through conservation groups

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In addition to their work with the Northern Cheyenne Breakout Monument, Ted “T.R.” and Kay Hughes of Seward have also worked with native tribes to preserve bison populations.

According to T.R.’s bio, in 1974, he and Kay had excess buffalo from their own herd. He began working with the Northern Cheyenne and the Winnebago tribe, among others, to help the tribes establish their own herds.

Kay said the bison are great grazers and their presence helps re-establish the native plains and grasslands.

“They’re really intriguing animals,” Kay said.

T.R. assisted in creating the Intertribal Bison Cooperative, “which supports establishment of buffalo herds on tribal reservations.”

Kay said in 2008, T.R. began having heart problems, and the couple decided to use the herd for conservation genetics.

The Hugheses’ bison herd came from Yellowstone, which is where a majority of genetically pure bison come from. Kay said roughly 95 percent of buffalo today have cattle integration, meaning they have been bred with cattle.

However, T.R. and Kay’s bison had zero cattle integration.

When T.R. and Kay decided to stop ranching, they sold or donated their herd to conservation groups, one of them being the Crane Trust in Wood River.

Brice Krohn, vice president of the Crane Trust, said the conservation group purchased 41 bison from the Hugheses at a discount in November of 2014. T.R. also donated a bison to the group. The bison were brought to Wood River in January and February of 2015.

“It was a really special and exciting time for the Crane Trust,” Krohn said.

Krohn said the Crane Trust’s main goal with the bison was to build the lost bison population from a genetic standpoint.

The Crane Trust also studies the animals and the herd’s social hierarchy.

“They’re a very social animal,” Krohn said.

He said the area also sees the ecological impact of having the bison on their native habitat.

Krohn said the bison have an impact on the native plants, birds and small mammals in the area.

“[T.R. and Kay] knew this was a great place and a great fit for them,” Krohn said. “Bringing the iconic grazer back to the prairies is important to the Crane Trust.”

Now, the Crane Trust’s bison herd from the Hugheses has grown to 63 animals.

“They fit into the landscape well—they look like they were meant to always be here,” Krohn said.

He added that welcoming the bison was a special moment and that it helped him realize how special the prairie is.

“They look right at home,” Krohn said of the bison. “It’s so special to see them back on the prairies of Nebraska.”