Bulls in Paynes Prairie will be taken to farms but will stay off the chopping block.
Four farms put in proposals to remove some of the bison from the park's herd as a part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's plan to reduce inbreeding.
The Florida Park Service awarded the bid to Gateway Farms, LLC, on Dec. 27, but the final contract has not been signed yet, said Jessica Sims, spokeswoman for the Florida Park Service, in email.
About 10 to 15 bulls will be taken from Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park to be used for breeding, said David Hajos, president of Gateway Farms.
The bison will be divided among five of the farms owned by Gateway Farms, but Hajos declined to name the exact locations.
He said the 60 to 70 bison will be rounded up and held until all pregnant females give birth.
All the newborn males will be castrated and released back onto Paynes Prairie.
Hajos said Gateway Farms will be paid $365 for each of the 60 to 70 bison held, including the 10 to 15 it will own.
