How to See This Indiana State Park’s New Baby Bison

Ouabache State Park recently welcomed a new baby bison to their American Bison Herd Exhibit.

One of the things I love about Indiana is the number of state parks offering fishing, swimming, boating, and nature-watching opportunities. Ouabache State Park, located along the Wabash River near Bluffton, offers all of those things and more. However, if you decide to stop by the park soon, you'll definitely want to spend some time admiring the wildlife. Specifically, I recommend checking out their American Bison (a.k.a. buffalo) herd.

According to Indiana State Parks, an American Bison calf was born on June 6, 2024, at Ouabache State Park. In fact, this baby bison even shares a birthday with one born on the same day in 2022. Park staff report that the mother is keeping the calf close to the herd, so they are unsure if it's a female or male. However, one thing is for sure, and that is that this adorable creature will love its home among the permanent herd.

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Ouabache State Park recently noted on social media that baby bison are nicknamed “red dogs” because of their orange-red color and the fact they're the size of a large dog. They can weigh anywhere from 30 to 70 pounds at birth. A few months after they're born, their hair will begin to change to a dark brown color. It is also around this time that they will begin to develop their characteristic shoulder hump and horns.

The bison herd at Ouabache State Park is part of a 20-acre exhibit that showcases the creatures in their natural setting. Guests can view the area by walking along a relatively flat, one-mile gravel trail around the large, fenced area. According to Trip Advisor, the daily admission fee is $7.00 per vehicle for in-state residents and $9.00 per vehicle for out-of-state residents. You can learn more about the park and herd here.