Oakland Celebrates Milestone: 50th Bison Calf Born in Partnership with Blackfeet Nation and Indigenous Led Restoration Efforts

Recently, Oakland Zoo welcomed the fourth bison calf of the season, marking the 50th calf born at the Zoo since the start of its restoration partnership with the Blackfeet Nation and Indigenous Led, which began a decade ago in 2016. The adorable additions to the herd, affectionately called “red dogs” for their playful nature and bright reddish-brown coats at birth, underscore the true meaning of the Zoo’s bison restoration program. The goal is for descendants of the blended herd to further restorations of wild landscapes in the Blackfeet Territory and to be free-ranging and connected to Glacier National Park.

In early May of this year, the Zoo returned five bison, three males and two females, to Montana by trailer. After a 12-hour journey that mirrored where bison once roamed and symbolized a return home, they joined the Blackfeet herd in Browning, Montana. This multifaceted effort to promote genetic diversity aims to ensure the health and longevity of future American bison populations. The species nearly went extinct in the early 1900s, when millions were slaughtered during westward expansion to make way for grasslands used for livestock. Although their numbers have grown significantly, wild herds and those in private and public reserves remain genetically isolated. What nature is unable to do naturally at this point, due to decreased genetic diversity and population sizes, Oakland Zoo can provide support through a captive breeding program.

Guests visiting the Zoo, whether from the Bay Area or around the world, can become part of the story by learning about the program that links culture, history, and animal care. Oakland is just a chapter in the ongoing story of these bison’s future, as the program reconnects them with their sacred land in Montana.  

“Witnessing the bison roam in their historical lands adds a profound beauty and significance that is difficult to capture without experiencing Montana firsthand. We bring these moments back to our Bay Area community, followers, and the Bay Area indigenous diaspora, truly bringing our mission to life and igniting our passion to continue advocating for this cause,” says Nik Dehejia, CEO of Oakland Zoo.  

As bison return to Montana—more than 40 since the partnership began—the program continues to advance. Oakland Zoo Animal Care staff work daily in the 13-acre California Trail habitat to deliver gold-standard care to the herd, including enrichment, training, and herd management. The Zoo’s Veterinary Care staff provide medical services, including annual examinations, vaccinations, and hoof care.  

“We provide the necessary care to ensure a healthy herd of bison until their release, but the Blackfeet care for their soul. We feel privileged and proud to have participated in this journey, with four successful releases. We consider it a great honor to have the trust of our Blackfeet partners. It is an opportunity to be involved in a program that restores a part of a culture that was once taken away,” says Angela Gibson, Zoological Manager at Oakland Zoo.  

This ongoing effort underscores Oakland Zoo’s commitment and opens a clear path to deepen collaboration with Indigenous-led organizations.  

"With the birth of its 50th calf, the Oakland Zoo is helping bring home far more than buffalo to the Blackfeet Nation. Together, we are restoring threads that were once severed—between people and place, culture and identity, memory and future—showing what becomes possible when restoration is rooted in relationship," says Cristina Mormorunni, Executive Director of INDIGENOUS LED.

The Zoo will partner with tribes to advance conservation action, strengthen the systems that support long-term restoration, and develop the next generation of changemakers — positioning the program as a catalyst for ecosystem recovery and cultural revitalization.