Adopt a Bison Plush Calf
$35.00
In stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
A portion of the adoption fee goes directly to bison conservation at Wind Cave National Park. You get a 12-inch plush bison calf made by Wild Republic with eco-friendly recycled fill. Since 2017, the Adopt-A-Bison program has raised over $130,000 for GPS tracking collars, herd research, and monitoring.
- 12″ plush bison calf (11″ x 9 1/2″ x 6 1/4″, 9.1 oz)
- Eco-friendly fill made from spun recycled water bottles
- Surface washable, exceeds CPSIA and EN71 safety standards
- A portion of every adoption funds conservation at Wind Cave National Park
- Program has funded 10 GPS tracking collars, herd monitoring tools, and the Bison Story Map
In stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Adopt a Bison Plush Calf
$35.00
In stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
A portion of the adoption fee goes directly to bison conservation at Wind Cave National Park. You get a 12-inch plush bison calf made by Wild Republic with eco-friendly recycled fill. Since 2017, the Adopt-A-Bison program has raised over $130,000 for GPS tracking collars, herd research, and monitoring.
- 12″ plush bison calf (11″ x 9 1/2″ x 6 1/4″, 9.1 oz)
- Eco-friendly fill made from spun recycled water bottles
- Surface washable, exceeds CPSIA and EN71 safety standards
- A portion of every adoption funds conservation at Wind Cave National Park
- Program has funded 10 GPS tracking collars, herd monitoring tools, and the Bison Story Map
In stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Description
What is the Adopt-A-Bison program?
The Adopt-A-Bison program lets you support one of North America’s most genetically important bison herds while getting a 12-inch plush bison calf to take home. Run by Black Hills Parks & Forests Association since 2017, the program has raised over $130,000 for bison conservation at Wind Cave National Park.
A portion of your adoption goes directly to conservation and research. The rest covers the plush and program costs.
The Wind Cave herd is one of only two federal bison herds with zero detected cattle gene introgression. (The other is Yellowstone.) That makes these roughly 350 to 500 animals genetically critical for the entire species. About 95% of bison elsewhere in North America carry some cattle DNA. Wind Cave’s don’t.
What’s included
Your $35 adoption includes:
- A 12-inch plush bison calf made by Wild Republic (Cuddlekins line)
- Polyester plush exterior with eco-friendly fill made from recycled water bottles
- Surface washable for easy cleaning
What your adoption funds
Since 2017, Adopt-A-Bison has paid for:
- 10 GPS tracking collars for park biologists to study herd migration (purchased 2019)
- A dedicated monitoring laptop for herd data analysis
- The Wind Cave Bison Story Map, an interactive tool showing herd movement and family groups
- Planned real-time herd monitoring displays at the Wind Cave Visitor Center
In the summer of 2021 alone, the program raised $19,600.
Specifications
- Plush size: 12 inches (11″ x 9 1/2″ x 6 1/4″)
- Weight: 9.1 oz
- Material: Polyester plush exterior, recycled fiber fill
- Care: Surface wash only
- Safety: Exceeds CPSIA (USA) and EN71 (EU) standards
- Plush manufacturer: Wild Republic (Cuddlekins line)
- Program operator: Black Hills Parks & Forests Association
Who is this for?
Park visitors who want to do more than buy a souvenir. If you saw the bison at Wind Cave and want to support the herd, this is the most direct way to do it from the gift shop. Your money buys GPS collars and funds real research, not just a plush toy.
Gift buyers looking for something with substance. A $35 plush that funds tracking collars and herd research tells a better story than a generic stuffed animal. Works for kids and adults, birthdays and holidays.
Teachers and educators. The plush pairs well with lessons about wildlife conservation, genetics, or Great Plains ecology. The Bison Story Map is a free classroom resource from the National Park Service.
About the Wind Cave bison herd
Wind Cave National Park’s bison herd started in 1913 with 14 animals from the New York Zoological Society (now the Bronx Zoo). Six more came from Yellowstone in 1916. Today the park manages 350 to 500 bison across 33,847 acres of mixed-grass prairie.
What makes this herd unusual: a 2006 study tested tissue samples from 11 Department of Interior bison herds and found cattle gene introgression in 7 of them. Wind Cave and Yellowstone were clean. That genetic purity, combined with the herd’s brucellosis-free status, makes Wind Cave bison valuable foundation stock for conservation programs elsewhere. Bison from this herd have already been transferred to The Nature Conservancy’s Tallgrass Prairie preserve in Kansas.
For the Lakota people, Wind Cave (Maka Oniye, “the breathing earth”) is where the first humans and the first bison emerged. The herd’s presence on this land is not just ecological. It carries deep cultural weight.
Frequently asked questions
Where does my $35 go?
A portion goes directly to bison conservation and research at Wind Cave National Park. The rest covers the plush, shipping materials, and program administration.
What has the program accomplished so far?
Since 2017, Adopt-A-Bison has raised over $130,000. That money has purchased 10 GPS tracking collars for park biologists, a monitoring laptop, and the interactive Bison Story Map. Future plans include real-time herd displays at the Wind Cave Visitor Center.
Why are the Wind Cave bison important?
They’re one of only two federal herds with zero cattle gene introgression. About 95% of bison in North America carry some cattle DNA from 19th-century crossbreeding. Wind Cave’s herd is genetically pure and brucellosis-free, making them critical for conservation breeding programs.
Is the plush safe for young children?
The plush exceeds both CPSIA (USA) and EN71 (EU) safety standards. It’s surface washable. As with any plush toy, use your judgment for children under 3.
Can I visit the bison at Wind Cave?
Yes. Wind Cave National Park is about 10 miles north of Hot Springs, South Dakota. Bison are most visible on the park’s grasslands in early morning and evening. Spring (April through May) is calving season. Stop by the visitor center to learn more about the herd.
Do BHPFA members get a discount on Adopt-A products?
No. Adopt-A products are excluded from the standard 15% member discount, so the conservation portion of every adoption stays intact.
Does buying this support national parks?
Yes. A portion of every adoption goes directly to Wind Cave bison conservation. The program is run by Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument.
Can I adopt more than one bison?
Yes. Each $35 adoption adds another plush and another contribution to the conservation fund. There’s no limit.
Every Purchase Makes a Difference
When you shop with Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, you are directly funding:
- Education programs — nature workshops, Junior Ranger activities, and homeschool adventures for kids across the Black Hills
- Trail maintenance — keeping hiking trails safe and accessible at Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, and the Black Hills National Forest
- Visitor services — park store operations, interpretive programs, and the staff who help millions of visitors each year
- Conservation — supporting the long-term health of public lands in the Black Hills and Nebraska
BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service in the Black Hills region. We have supported these public lands since 1946.
Additional information
| Weight | 15 oz |
|---|---|
| Brand | Black Hills Parks & Forests Association |
| Dimensions | 11" x 9 1/2" x 6 1/4" |
| Weight | 9.1 oz |
| Material | Polyester plush, recycled fiber fill |
| Size | 12" |
| Age Range | Ages 3+ |
| Care Instructions | Surface wash only |
Note on International Orders
Some countries charge import duties, VAT, or handling fees on delivery. These are set by your local government and are not included in our checkout total. Customers are responsible for paying any such charges before receiving their package.
