Utah's new bison herd thriving, expanding

Utah's newest wild bison herd is happy, healthy and expanding.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources says recent surveys of the Book Cliffs herd in eastern Utah indicates that all 44 bison transported to the area last winter have survived and found plenty to eat. There are also four newborns.

The wild herd is the first created in Utah in nearly 70 years. There are three other wild herds in the state.

Eventually, state wildlife officials expect the Book Cliffs herd to grow to around 450.

The herd is made up of 14 bison donated to the state by the Ute Indian tribe and others collected from the Henry Mountains in southeast Utah.