Police are turning to the public for help following the disappearance of several bison from a local herd.
On Jan. 8, the Sundre RCMP detachment received a report from a local rancher that he was missing several bison cows from his herd, reads a press release.
According to the owner, the herd was completely accounted for at the end of last October, but four animals have since gone missing, police reported. The pasture's location was not released.
“With the assistance of the RCMP livestock investigator, aerial reconnaissance was conducted over the property and it appeared that the fence that surrounds the bison's pasture had been damaged or tampered,” said police.
Known to be herd animals, a few bison from a group do not typically go astray, said police.
“The missing bison are between the ages of eight to 20 years old and it is uncertain whether the animals were taken by predators, missing or stolen.”
As of the time the press release was made public on March 20, none of the animals had been located or accounted for, with the local detachment seeking the public’s assistance.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the bison is encouraged to contact the Sundre RCMP at 403-638-3675. People who prefer to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), by Internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers www.crimestoppers.ab.ca for instructions).
