Bison laying in the dust

Bluebell

  • Species: Bison
  • Born: 2002

Born on a game farm for meat but abandoned by her mother, Bluebell came to Earthfire as a young calf. She has become the matriarch of our 20-acre pasture, tolerating zero interference from strangers of any species. Her grounding presence is felt throughout the property, but she melts into a (demanding) puddle when humans with healing hands touch her.

Animal Fact

"Yellowstone National Park is the only place in the U.S. where bison have continuously lived since prehistoric times. What makes Yellowstone’s bison so special is that they’re the pure descendants (free of cattle genes) of early bison that roamed our country’s grasslands" (US Department of the Interior).

Photos of Bluebell

Stories About Bluebell

Note: Many of our posts are collections of stories about multiple animals at Earthfire. The animal you’re looking for may not be shown in these post previews, but each post does contain a relevant story. 

White bison eating hay

Snapshots of Earthfire

Earthfire Institute November 19, 2019

Between getting ready for winter and speaking at a variety of events, we’ve been especially busy lately. But Dante Rios, our animal caretaker, has been delighting us with beautiful pictures of our animal residents. Please enjoy!  (Click to enlarge)

Read More
Fox standing on a log

Foxes on the Run

Dawn Harrison August 6, 2019

Foxes Sprite and Ghost got to enjoy some beautiful weather while stretching their legs in one of the animal gardens. Ghost took his cues from his elder at most turns, many times with a look that seemed to say “Wait for me!” But when he decided to go swimming, he

Read More
White chicken in a nesting box

The Softer Side of Sally the Chicken

Dawn Harrison and Susan B. Eirich, PhD April 2, 2019

Sally the Chicken was on the office porch as she often is, sunning herself, when something told me she wanted attention. When I bent to pet her, she tucked her body and gave me a look that said, “Well come on, pick me up.” So I did. I was expecting

Read More
Profile of a bison's head

Bluebell, a Displeased Bison, and Other Earthfire Stories

Susan B. Eirich, PhD November 17, 2018

Foffy the Mustang, Garrett the Farrier, and Bluebell the Displeased Bison Bluebell was not pleased. It is not good when Bluebell is not pleased. She is a massive, powerful, assertive matriarch with very large horns and a bit of an attitude. The horse-shoer pulled his truck up to the paddock

Read More
Face of a young grizzly bear

An ADHD Bear and His Pineapple

Susan B. Eirich, PhD November 8, 2018

I offered Teton a slice of fresh pineapple. He looked at it with disdain. Didn’t bother to even sniff it, just walked away. Stately. He is a mango and pear sort of bear. Humble Bumble, on the other hand, got that special look in his eye as he saw his

Read More
Face of a brown and black goat

Taking the Temperature of a Goat, and Other Earthfire Stories

Susan B. Eirich, PhD June 20, 2018

Adrianna the goat wasn’t feeling well in the evening. She refused to get up. She had diarrhea. Worried, we called the vet. “Was she wormed? Was she vaccinated? Take her temperature and call us in the morning.” Easier said than done. Taking the temperature of a feisty goat regardless of

Read More
White bison eating hay

Snapshots of Earthfire

Earthfire Institute November 19, 2019

Between getting ready for winter and speaking at a variety of events, we’ve been especially busy lately. But Dante Rios, our animal caretaker, has been delighting us with beautiful pictures of our animal residents. Please enjoy!  (Click to enlarge)

Read More
Fox standing on a log

Foxes on the Run

Dawn Harrison August 6, 2019

Foxes Sprite and Ghost got to enjoy some beautiful weather while stretching their legs in one of the animal gardens. Ghost took his cues from his elder at most turns, many times with a look that seemed to say “Wait for me!” But when he decided to go swimming, he

Read More
White chicken in a nesting box

The Softer Side of Sally the Chicken

Dawn Harrison and Susan B. Eirich, PhD April 2, 2019

Sally the Chicken was on the office porch as she often is, sunning herself, when something told me she wanted attention. When I bent to pet her, she tucked her body and gave me a look that said, “Well come on, pick me up.” So I did. I was expecting

Read More
Profile of a bison's head

Bluebell, a Displeased Bison, and Other Earthfire Stories

Susan B. Eirich, PhD November 17, 2018

Foffy the Mustang, Garrett the Farrier, and Bluebell the Displeased Bison Bluebell was not pleased. It is not good when Bluebell is not pleased. She is a massive, powerful, assertive matriarch with very large horns and a bit of an attitude. The horse-shoer pulled his truck up to the paddock

Read More
Face of a young grizzly bear

An ADHD Bear and His Pineapple

Susan B. Eirich, PhD November 8, 2018

I offered Teton a slice of fresh pineapple. He looked at it with disdain. Didn’t bother to even sniff it, just walked away. Stately. He is a mango and pear sort of bear. Humble Bumble, on the other hand, got that special look in his eye as he saw his

Read More
Face of a brown and black goat

Taking the Temperature of a Goat, and Other Earthfire Stories

Susan B. Eirich, PhD June 20, 2018

Adrianna the goat wasn’t feeling well in the evening. She refused to get up. She had diarrhea. Worried, we called the vet. “Was she wormed? Was she vaccinated? Take her temperature and call us in the morning.” Easier said than done. Taking the temperature of a feisty goat regardless of

Read More
Go Back

Help us heal our connection with wildlife and nature.

Connect
Donate

Our website presents an aspect of relating to wild animals that many of us don’t realize is possible. We believe that all Life is deeply interconnected and we have much to learn from each other through meaningful, guided interaction led by professional animal handlers. Authentic reconnection results in action to protect wildlands and wild beings.

Earthfire Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. EIN 82-0525968

Facebook-f Instagram Youtube Vimeo

Contact Us

P.O. Box 368

Driggs, Idaho 83422

Phone/Fax: 208-456-0926

office@earthfireinstitute.org

Press Inquiries
Employment Inquiries
1% For the Planet
Guidestar Silver Transparency 2021

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use this site, we'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt out at any time. For more information, please see our privacy policy.

Privacy Policy