Source: Susan Dillinger, 785-532-3895, sdillin1@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-532-6415, kmayes@k-state.edu

Friday, May 22, 2009

SIDEBAR: K-STATE EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR WHO DOUBLES AS BISON RANCHER OFFERS SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE SPECIES

MANHATTAN -- For nearly 15 years, Kansas State University's Susan Dillinger and her husband have been raising bison on a ranch in Pottawatomie County.

Since the Lazy Heart D Ranch is both agricultural and educational, Dillinger, an instructor of special education, counseling and student affairs, offers a few interesting facts about bison that she's learned along the way:

* Bison and buffalo are no longer endangered.

* Bison and buffalo are not the same. The bison raised by the Dillingers are a separate species and are not related to African or Asian water buffalo.

* Bison meat, which the Dillingers sell, is the leanest red meat around.

* Bison are one of three animals in the world that are not afraid of humans. The other two are mountain lions and grizzly bears.

* Bison are not a cuddly type of animal. In fact, they're quite territorial. "If you try to push them, they push back," Dillinger said. "There's no negotiating with them. They are truly wild animals."