Bison to return to Illinois in Lee County preserve
FRANKLIN GROVE — For perhaps the first time in two centuries, bison are returning to Illinois.
Sauk Valley Media reports that the Nachusa Grasslands will begin its project to bring in as many as 50 bison to roam 500 acres on the Lee County preserve, owned and operated by The Nature Conservancy.
About 20 bison arrive within the next week. They will stay in a state-of-the-art corral for several weeks and be gradually released to become acclimated to their new home.
The Grasslands began the project years ago and raised $6 million.
The Nature Conservancy has 13 preserves which are home to 5,500 bison. The Grasslands residents will come from those preserves, such as Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota.
Franklin Grove is about 95 miles west of Chicago.