Longhorn Steer Herd Replenished

A North Dakota national park is working to keep part of the state s history alive Theodore Roosevelt National Park has kept Texas longhorn steers in the park since the mid-sixties as part of a living historical exhibit commemorating the Long X Cattle Trail and open-range ranching in the area The park recently added two new steers to replenish the park s aging herd Valerie Naylor says the four steers from the old herd are 15 to 18 years old and bringing in the new 1 and 2 year olds will ensure longevity of the herd Valerie Naylor Park Superintendent We think that it s an important exhibit for people to see when they come here The Long X Cattle Trail has a rich history in this area and is celebrated at the Long X Visitors Center in Watford City and the Long X bridge that people come across when they enter the North Unit So it s exciting to have some living examples of the steers that were once in this area The new steers arrived from a national park in Montana early last week