Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

Home
United States
Prairie City, IA
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

Visit our official website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/neal-smith Welcome

This is an official page of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
(242)

To learn more about our social media efforts, and to find a list of official USFWS social media sites, please visit our social media hub:http://www.fws.gov/home/socialmedia/

Our agency is known for our scientific excellence, our stewardship of lands and natural resources, and our dedicated conservation and wildlife professionals. While we hope that this page will help you stay connected to our wo

rk, we also hope that it will keep us connected to you and the issues you care about. Your participation on this page is vital and all feedback is welcome--both good and bad. Your perspective is welcomed and we hope that conversations about the Service can be productive, fun, and engaging.

05/04/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome a new addition to the prairie—a bison calf with an unusual whitish coat. This is a rare sight, as most newborn bison calves are usually reddish-brown.

Photos 1 & 2: Whitish bison calf with adult bison on the prairie, courtesy of Hope Anderson.

04/30/2026

Nature never ceases to amaze! Earlier today, a whitish newborn bison calf was observed on the refuge prairie. A rare and beautiful sight!

Bison calves are usually born with reddish-brown fur, which changes to dark brown as they mature. It will be fascinating to see what color this little one develops as it grows.

Photo: Whitish colored newborn bison calf on the tallgrass prairie. Photo Credit: USFWS

04/25/2026

Few sights are cuter than this! 🦬

It doesn't get better than watching a newborn bison calf walk across the tallgrass prairie.

Bison calves nurse within 10–30 minutes of birth and can walk and run in a few hours. Young calves are nicknamed "red dogs".

Nature never fails to amaze!

Video: Newborn bison calf walking among adult bison in a herd, courtesy of Amy Bennett. Video has no sound.

04/24/2026

Wonderful news—three newborn bison calves have joined the refuge herd! 🦬🦬🦬💛 Keep an eye out for these playful little ones on your next visit!

Photo: Newborn bison calf with adult bison on the tallgrass prairie, courtesy Amy Bennett.

04/22/2026

Exciting news from our tallgrass prairie: we've welcomed the first two bison calves of the year!

Photo: Two female bison and their two newborn calves, courtesy of Tenlea Turner.

04/21/2026

This impressive bull bison was peacefully napping in the tall grass. Moments like this are a powerful reminder of the tranquility, awe, and wonder that wildlife brings to our lives.

Photo: Bull bison resting on the tallgrass prairie. Photo Credit: Nancy Corona/USFWS

04/18/2026

Prescribed burns clear away dead plants, helping fresh, nutritious grasses grow—perfect for bison. They also reduce wildfire risk by removing excess fuel.

Just one week after a burn, the prairie is already turning green.

Those small mounds you see? They are ant hills, revealed after the burn clears the vegetation.

Photo: A bison herd grazing on new plant growth after a prescribed burn, courtesy of Linda Frazier.

04/17/2026

🌾 🦬Pool Party on the Prairie! 🦬🌾

After heavy rains, this bison wallow turned into a natural prairie pool! Bison love to roll in the same spots, creating shallow depressions called wallows.

When a wallow fills up with rain, it makes the perfect pool! These bison were making the most of their new swimming hole—cooling-off in true bison style..

More than just bison spas, wallows also provide essential habitat and drinking water for other wildlife. Filled with rainwater, they even serve as breeding grounds for frogs and toads.

Photo: Four bison in a wallow filled with water. Photo Credit: Nancy Corona/USFWS

04/15/2026

🦬April's showers turn bison wallows into muddy puddles perfect for bison!

🦬Bison roll in the same spots on the prairie, forming shallow holes called wallows. Rolling or wallowing helps them cool off, get rid of pests, shed old fur, and interact with each other.

Thank you Hope for sharing your great photo!

Photo: Bull bison sitting in a muddy wallow, courtesy of Hope Rogers.

04/11/2026

Few sights are cuter or more peaceful than watching two elk calves, born in 2025, relaxing on the prairie. Their gentle presence brings a sense of calm to the open landscape.

Photo: Two elk calves resting on the tallgrass prairie, courtesy of Joan Van Gorp.

04/09/2026

Glorious sunrise over the tallgrass prairie!

Photo: Orange and yellow sky during sunrise, courtesy of Joan Van Gorp.

Address

9981 Pacific Street
Prairie City, IA
50228

Telephone

+15159943400

Website

http://www.fws.gov/refuge/neal_smith/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Prairie City?