Days after the Butterfly Pavilion said that its popular Chilean rose hair tarantula was done meeting the public after 28 years, the University of Colorado announced a big animal retirement of its own: The school's current bison mascot, Ralphie VI, is retiring after four years of service. (No, buffalo and bison technically aren't the same animal, although the words have become largely interchangeable in North America.)
Nicknamed "Ember" by her handlers, Ralphie VI maintained the Boulder tradition of running across the field during CU football home games. She was the sixth bison to fill the role since 1967, according to CU, introduced at just fifteen months of age and weighing 500 pounds. Traditionally, the program has tapped female bison rather than males, which are larger and more dangerous to handle.
After showing a recent "indifference to running," which is typical for mammals her age, it was determined that it was time for Ember to live a more relaxed life on a ranch with her predecessor, Ralphie V.
“Ember has been excellent in many aspects of her role as Ralphie, but she’s happiest relaxing on the ranch and we want to be respectful of her wishes,” Taylor Stratton, CU's live mascot program director, says in a statement. “She will continue to get the same top level of love and care that all of our Ralphies receive and will enjoy socializing with Ralphie V.”
According to a 2023 9News story, the Ralphie ranch is in an undisclosed location to protect the animals' well-being, and only handlers and people close to CU are allowed to visit.
New Ralphie on the Way
Fear not, Buffalo football fans: another Ralphie is on the way. According to from CU, a "succession plan has been in place for a number of months and more information on Ralphie VII will be provided when it’s available."However, the new Ralphie's debut probably won't come in time for CU's first game at Folsom Field in Boulder, a 6 p.m. matchup against Georgia Tech University this Friday, August 29.
"Since top prioritization is given to the buffalo’s health, well-being, happiness and safety, there is no exact timeline for Ralphie VII’s debut while she continues training. In the interim, the Buffaloes football team will take the field without the university’s beloved live mascot," CU notes.
