Hormonal on the Range

Bison, including these shown Friday on Ted Turner’s Flying D Ranch south of Bozeman,  are back in demand as a beef alternative.Associated Press

Adult female bison don’t take kindly to traditional pregnancy tests.

The test, known as “rectal palpation,” involves a veterinarian inserting a gloved arm to feel for thickening in the uterus wall. In hormonal beasts weighing nearly 1,200 pounds, the test can quickly become a recipe for injuries.

“Buffalo are tremendously fast and strong,” said Dr. Kenneth Throlson, a retired vet who owns a North Dakota bison ranch. “They go from docile to crazy in about two snaps of the finger.” More here.

Talk about a dirty and dangerous job. Yikes! What’s the most unpleasant job you’ve ever had?