Alaska is home to four herds of plains bison, totaling about 900 animals. The largest herd is near Delta Junction, southeast of Fairbanks. Smaller herds were established through translocation from the Delta Junciton herd, located at Farewell, Chitina River, and the Copper River.
In the winter, bison plow through the snow with their heads to access the forage below. They do not head south towards warmer climates, though they might head to lower elevations to avoid the deep snow. In many places the animals will travel along roadways to conserve energy and stay out of the snow throughout the colder months, presenting a potential danger for motorists.
Bison will usually run from threats, reaching up to 35 miles per hour at their fastest and being able to jump over fences and other obstacles. Such was the case in the video below, when an Alaskan bison herd escaped down a narrow roadway by trampling over an occupied car.
The National Park Service recommends being extra careful at night when driving through bison territory, as their size and dark coloration makes them harder to spot and quite destructive if hit. If you see bison on the road, you’re encouraged to slow down and stay in your vehicle, waiting for the bison to move along. Do not honk your horn at them, and do not drive towards them aggressively hoping to make them move.
The drivers in this video didn’t necessarily do anything wrong aside from cutting off the animal’s escape route, but being careful around the animals can reduce the risk of damage being done. Read more on bison safety below:
Alaska Bison Safety Guidelines:
Do not approach bison, keep dogs away, and don’t throw things at them.
As with moose and other wildlife, keep a safe distance from bison and have a potential escape route identified.
If you find yourself too close to a bison, do not run. Back away slowly.
A bison is agitated and may charge if it:
- Stops what it’s doing and looks at you or turns to face you.
- Swings its head back and forth while staring at you.
- Paws at the ground or hooks the ground with its horns.
- Makes short bluff charges at you or snorts loudly.
- Moves straight toward you.