After some tragic luck with newborn animals over the last eight months, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve has welcomed two new bison calves.

The bison babies were born on Apr. 29 and May 6, Jake Paleczny, the preserve’s executive director, said last week.

Both appear to be healthy and are doing well, he said.

The bison are the most regular species at the preserve to breed, which they normally do every year, he explained.

Unlike many other zoological facilities, he said the animals at the preserve are kept as wild as possible, Paleczny explained.

They’re not handled beyond the minimum necessary to ensure their health, he said, so they are never checked for pregnancies.

That’s why staff at the preserve can never say with certainty that the bison – and other large animals where the males and females are allowed to mix – are pregnant.

He said the staff are expecting perhaps another one or two births amongst the bison.

They are also hoping for some caribou births, but will likely have to wait until June for the females to drop the calves.

There is still some expectation for at least one more muskox calf, but we’re now at the tail end of their calving season.

One calf born about two months ago perished of congenital defects approximately a week after birth, Paleczny said.

While unfortunate, that’s not an unusual scenario, although such events are always a bit traumatic for the staff.

The situation with the preserve’s lynx collection is somewhat different.

After three kittens were born last June, a female cub was found dead in early November of possible head injuries.

She had charmed preserve visitors during the facility's Halloween event, as the bold youngster repeatedly gulped down special meaty treats provided by the staff.

About eight weeks later, a second kitten was also found dead of unknown causes.

The third kitten, a male, has continued to thrive after it was rehabilitated extensively over the summer for a serious leg injury.

Paleczny said both kittens that passed away were subject to numerous tests and examinations. The results were inconclusive, particularly for the second kitten.

That was upsetting and frustrating for the staff, he said, who are left pondering what went wrong.

That’s an unusual scenario, Paleczny said, since the preserve has allowed the lynx to breed previously without such incidents.

In better news for the facility, on Saturday it hosted the release of a rehabilitated Northern Hawk Owl.

The bird had been in care since March, when it was found in Riverdale in poor condition.

It’s believed this past winter’s heavy snows might have hindered the bird’s hunting, leaving it in an emaciated condition.

It’s an uncommon bird for the preserve to work with, Paleczny added.

The most common bird of prey in rehabilitation are bald eagles.

Amongst the owls, the preserve more often sees small species, such as Boreal Owls. Other species, such as short-ears, have also been treated.

Northern Hawk Owls are common enough in the territory, but are less regular visitors to the rehab centre.

One of the most common causes of injuries amongst Yukon owls are collisions with vehicles, Paleczny said.