An Endangered Species Success Story of the American Bison
Nothing is more symbolic of America more than the American Bison (well, maybe the bald eagle, too). These large, intimidating creatures were once on the verge of extinction until they were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park and on Elk Island in Alberta, Canada. Bison are commonly called "buffalo" by many, however, they are technically bison.
Some of these excellent photos provided by Wallpaper by Design
Why Not Buffalo?
The common misnomer of the bison
Buffalo was the term bestowed upon the mighty beast when Europeans first gazed upon them. They most resembled the African and Asian Water Buffalo they were used to seeing across the Atlantic, so the misnomer stuck. While they are related, they are more closely related to the European Bison, or wisent.Right: An African Buffalo Bull. Photographed at Mabula Game Reserve, South Africa, 2004 by Paul M Rae.
On the Verge of Extinction...
A once VERY endangered species
Around 1800, it was estimated that there were 40 million bison in the United States. By 1900, there were less than six hundred left in North America. The vast majority of these bison were killed in the 1800s for leather goods and to deplete the food source of the Native Americans, ensuring their extinction. As few as 50 were saved by some conservationists. All of the bison you see today are descendents of these 50 or so buffalo.
Bison Links
- NASA helps out the Bison
- NASA helps the Bison in Yellowstone. How? From space, of course!
- Adopt a Bison!
- Have you "herd"? When you adopt a bison (also known as buffalo), you'll not only be giving a great gift to yourself or that special wildlife lover in your life, but you'll also be supporting the work to restore bison to its rightful place on the American plains.
- Bison in Yellowstone
- Bison are the largest mammals in Yellowstone National Park. They are strictly vegetarian, a grazer of grasslands and sedges in the meadows, the foothills, and even the high-elevation, forested plateaus of Yellowstone.
Bison Fact:
At the end of the 1800's, the numbers in the last Yellowstone Bison herd were as low as 23. Due to the Endangered Species Act, these numbers have increased to around 3500 in the park today!
Bison Poll
Bison and Their Calves Graze in Custer State Park
Photographic Print
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The Big Comeback
Bison are back, baby!
Due to the preservation efforts of conservationists and private ranchers starting in 1899, the Bison's numbers rebounded. However, these Bison were privately owned. Most of these Bison were sent to Elk Island National Park in Canada to be reintroduced in 1907.Another small group of Bison, the only wild American Bison left in the world, managed to evade capture and hunting in the Pelican Valley of Yellowstone National Park. The numbers in this herd were as low as 23. Due to the Endangered Species Act, these numbers have increased to around 3500 in the park today and 350,000 total. This is a huge comeback compared to the single digit numbers of the early 1900s.
What Do Bison Look Like?
The appearance of the rugged American Bison
Bison have a large, dark brown, thick winter coat, replaced with a lighter brown summer coat. On the average, they are a 6 feet tall, 10 feet long, and around 900 pounds! American Bison are known for their characteristically large head with bull horns, which are found on both sexes. Bison live usually around 15 years.Bison mate at the end of summer in August and September. The calves are born in the spring after, a reddish brown color. These calves will be nearly full grown at 3 years of age.
More History of the Bison...
Thunder on the Plains: The Story of the American Buffalo
Amazon Price: (as of 12/10/2009)
List Price: $16.99
"This is the story of a great shaggy creature, a very American beast, one found here and nowhere else." From the days when its distant ancestors crossed a long-vanished land bridge from Asia to Alaska, through its heyday on the Western plains and on to near-extinction by the early 1900s with the arrival of the white man, Robbins concisely and clearly charts the animal's evolution. He contrasts the attitudes of the newly arrived Europeans (who shot buffalo for their tongues and hides alone, or shot them from aboard trains "for fun") with Native Americans, who used every part of the buffalo for food, clothing, shelter and vital implements.
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Bison Grazing in Yellowstone
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Give a shout out to the Bison!
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- JerryB JerryB Nov 1, 2009 @ 6:24 pm
- Great site on the Bisen! You might (or might not) enjoy my site The Buffalo Ranch at http://www.squidoo.com/buffalo_ranch
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- ojibwawife ojibwawife Sep 20, 2009 @ 5:45 am
- We've been fighting the Montana Dept. of Livestock for decades over the slaughter of the last remaining wild herd of American Bison in Yellowstone. They continue to haze, abuse and slaughter bulls, cows and even calves that step foot onto state land during their migratrion to their calving areas. Please go to: www.buffalofieldcampaign.org to learn more and to help us put an end to this needless slaughter. The gene pool for this last warrior has been and is being depleted to the point that they may not survive another generation of the onslaught of the government of Montana. Please help!
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- Tipi Tipi Aug 3, 2009 @ 8:43 am
- Thanks for the Squid Angel on my Buffalo Skull from the Badlands. You rock Kiwi!!!
I lensrolled this over there and have you as one of the featured lensmasters. I was trying to find this lens again in the 224? lenses you now...I finally had to do a search for it. Lol! Man, you've got a lot of lens. I'll have to do some visiting when time permits. I'm busy tutoring in WiWon and have one more lens to make before Friday for summer school. ~ I'm going to get this lens featured because I really do like it. --- Hope you are having a great summer. We really haven't had much of a summer or spring, been on the cool side mostly, but that's okay too.
Best wishes to you always,
Susie
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- aj2008 aj2008 Apr 24, 2009 @ 2:15 pm
- I am sooo glad the bison are back. Thank you for adding this lens to my plexo. I love the posters of the Bison in the snow.
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- motorpurrr motorpurrr Apr 8, 2009 @ 1:21 pm
- Thank you! Someone needs to say it. What's crazy is when you talk about "bison" people don't know what you are talking about because they are so used to calling them buffalo. Great photos.
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Cool Unique Bison Apparel & Stuff
Buffalo Women's Dark T-Shirt
A primitive style buffao (woops, I mean bison!) on this dark womens t-shirt.
Price: 22.99
Red Ghost Dance Buffalo_tile coaster
Beautiful Native American style buffalo horns tile coaster with red background.
Price: 9.50
Tote Bag
Native American style reusable cotton canvas tote bag featuring the American Bison in patchwork Indian colors.
Price: 17.99
by kiwisoutback
American Bison are an amazing animal. Once on the verge of extinction in the early 1900's, they've rebounded well and number in the thousands! (more)
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