Montana Large Animal Sanctuary & Rescue

POLSON - Buffalo Bart, formerly of Tucson, Ariz., was wallowing in the dust and feasting on green alfalfa grass Friday at his new and permanent home at The Montana Large Animal Sanctuary & Rescue Inc. ranch south of Polson.

He was visited Friday by reporters, photographers and excited students from Valley View Elementary School, but seemed oblivious to visitors. And he seemed quite unconcerned that he had barely escaped becoming buffalo burger at a recent bankruptcy auction.

Bart is a 1,700-pound, 5-year-old domesticated American bison. For several years he was the star attraction at a Tucson guest ranch. He made headlines last summer in Tucson when he escaped from his pen at the ranch and wandered around loose for four days. After his recapture, things looked grim for Bart.

All the animals at the guest ranch had to be sold to satisfy bankruptcy debts. Bart was auctioned off, and escaped the meat market only when Castaway Treasures Animal Sanctuary of Tucson paid $1,300 to outbid the livestock buyer.

But the sanctuary didn't have room for a bison on a mere two acres. A nationwide search ensued for a suitable home for Bart, one where he wouldn't risk death at the hands of trophy hunters, poachers or meat-market buyers.

Kathryn and Brian Warrington, who operate the Montana sanctuary, agreed to give Bart a permanent home, after referral by The Association of Sanctuaries.

Founded in 1996, The Montana Large Animal Sanctuary is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and continued care of neglected, abused and needy animals. It is a nonprofit corporation and all contributions are tax-deductible.

Buffalo wranglers - they call themselves buffaleros - dropped off Bart last Sunday at the ranch, after a nonstop, 1,450-mile trip from Tucson. The previous week involved all sorts of preparations for Bart, who is one of the largest animals at the sanctuary, and certainly the largest resident with special needs.

The needs include a sturdy bison-proof fence and gate around his 10-acre pasture. The Warringtons needed help, and got it. Fencing was supplied at a discount by Blixt Posts and Rails. A.G. Thorson Sons did a rush order on the special bison-proof gate. Wayne Knutson of Polson quickly augured the post holes, and Scott Lynch stretched and strung the special fence wire.

Because bison are herd animals, Bart also needed a companion bison, so he wouldn't grow morose and lonely.

The Warringtons found Ernie, a yearling bison, and purchased him to keep Bart company. Joining Bart and Ernie is a llama named Dalai, who became emotionally attached to Bart since birth at the Tucson guest ranch, and who quite possibly would become sick with grief and suffer permanent emotional damage if separated from Bart permanently, Kathryn Warrington said.

Dalai shares a paddock adjacent to Bart's enclosure, but is not allowed close contact because of the fear he may spread a disease to the bison.

They join 110 llamas, 100 equines (including 17 recently arrived burros from Death Valley), 54 pot-bellied pigs, 58 goats of various sizes and styles and 13 emus, plus assorted birds, dogs and cats that are house pets at the 145-acre ranch.

Donations to help Bart and the other animals on the ranch are always welcome and needed, Warrington said. The ranch used 600 tons of hay per year to feed the animals before Bart and Ernie arrived. The Warringtons also buy about $300 worth of grain each week. Two employees help Brian Warrington feed and water the animals. A veterinarian is on call 24 hours a day.

The sanctuary was founded in 1996. It can be reached at P.O. Box 939, Polson, Mont. 59860; call 883-1823. Tours are available by appointment. School tours are especially welcome, the Warringtons said.