The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center of The University of Texas at Austin has closed its hiking trails until an escaped American Bison seen on its savanna grasslands and surrounding gardens is nabbed. It escaped from a trailer in South Austin and was seen roaming on the meadows on the Center’s sprawling 279 acres.
Spotted behind the administration building, near the nursery and in the center's yet-to-be-opened Mollie Steves Zachry Texas Arboretum, the bison appears to weigh more than a ton (most bison do) and is quick on its feet. Thus, for the safety of hikers, all the trails are closed temporarily.
Attempts by an exotic animal expert working for Travis County and others to capture the animal were unsuccessful.
"We are thrilled that our natural habitat may sustain an example of the largest land animal in North America until she can be safely captured," said Damon Waitt, senior botanist and senior director of the center.
All of the other Center's facilities, including the public gardens, shop and café remain open to the public.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Ave
Austin, TX
