Bull Bison, Victory Bellow

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This enormous bull bison has just vanquished another bull in a long fight for dominance. He chased the loser into the forest and then gave a deep and loud bellow to declare victory. His nose and eye are covered in mud from the fight. An eye covered in mud has got to hurt! I have witnessed many of these fights but never one that seemed so serious.

A male bison like this one can weigh up to 2,000 pounds (907 kg) and stand 6 feet (1.8 m) at the shoulder. Females weigh up to 1,000 pounds (454 kg) and reach a height of 4-5 feet about (1.5 m). Bison calves weigh 30-70 pounds (13.6 - 31.8 kg) at birth. In areas where they still exist bison are responsible for more injuries than any other animal. Bison can run at speeds approaching 35 mph, which is as fast as a horse. They are also extremely agile. Bison can turn quickly and jump up to six feet (1.82 m) vertically, giving them the ability to clear high fences. The presence of an angry bull is not to be taken lightly.