Bison return to Abilene Zoo: Reconnecting to our frontier roots

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Abilene, a city rich in the history of the West Texas frontier, once echoed with the presence of cowboys and roaming bison. For 14 years, however, a vital symbol of this heritage was absent. Now, that symbol has returned, as two American bison are set to make the Abilene Zoo their new home.

A century ago, bison roamed the roads we drive today, and for many years, they were a beloved exhibit at the Abilene Zoo. However, in 2011, the zoo had to relocate its bison to a private facility. Thanks to the generosity of the Weilert family, these majestic creatures are now returning, with two bison making their long-awaited debut at the zoo.

Uno, an 8-year-old bison, has already arrived at the Abilene Zoo and is settling into his new home. In the coming weeks, he will be joined by a female bison. These bison previously lived on a private ranch owned by the Weilert family. After Uno was displaced from the herd by another male bison, Steve Weilert, the owner, decided to donate Uno and a breeding female to the zoo.

“I’ve loved bison my whole life, and I remember as a kid just being fascinated by them – their size
and beauty,” said Steve Weilert. “I’ve always wanted to see them brought back to the zoo so kids
today can see and appreciate how magnificent they are. This is a dream come true for our family.”

The bison will serve as ambassadors for their species, helping guests learn about their essential role in the ecosystem and the importance of preserving their natural habitats. Through their presence, the zoo hopes to inspire a deeper understanding of bison and the conservation efforts needed to protect them.

“We are excited to welcome these majestic creatures to our zoo,” said Jesse Pottebaum, Zoo
Director. “Bison are a symbol of resilience and strength, and their presence here allows us to
educate the public about the efforts being made to protect and restore their populations in the wild.”

The zoo will host keeper chats featuring Uno at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.