THE MIGHTY BISON: our new national mammal?
On a misty morning in Yellowstone national park you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse, or hear the grunts, of the thousands of American Bison that inhabit our vast federal park system.
On April 27th, 2016 the United States House of Representatives passed the National Bison Legacy Act. A bill intended to officially designate the American bison as the country’s first ever national mammal.
Today approximately 430,000 bison live in public and private herds across North America. While around 400,000 Bison are raised as livestock, the lucky 30,000 are managed for conservation goals, according to the National Park Service.
Though current population numbers are carefully managed by wildlife biologists to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse, and stable population, bison in conservation herds currently occupy less than 1% of their original range. Bison are what science deems “ecologically extinct.”
Once a common sight throughout North America, spotting a wild bison today is like finding a unicorn or pot of gold.
Although currently not listed as endangered or threatened by conservation watch-dogs IUCN Red List, Bison were almost driven to extinction by 19th century hunting practices.
Here is a disturbing historical range map that shows the decline:
By 1889 bison populations were on the brink of extinction.
Fortunately, the late 19th century also marked the adoption of new, scientific conservation techniques built on naturalist philosophies of authors like Henry David Thoreau and John Muir. America’s conservationists saved the majestic Bison.
As a result, Yellowstone country in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho became the first federally designated national park in 1892. Geographically, it is the only place in North America bison herds have perpetually existed since prehistoric times.
But why should Bison be the national mammal?
Deeply intertwined with the spiritual, economic, and social lives of native Indian tribes, Bison are a historical symbol of the United States and its history far before cololonzation.
Today over 60 native Indian tribes are members of the Intertribal Buffalo Council , a tribal consortium with the mission of “Restoring buffalo to the Indian Country, to preserve our historical, cultural, traditional and spiritual relationship for future generations.”
Its clear that bison aren't just historical artifacts from the past, they are symbols of the future. They are majestic, resilient, wild, and free — like the spirit of the American people. This is why the bison deserves national mammal status.
So lets open our hearts to the sacred and mighty bison, and ensure we can admire, respect, and protect natures gift to humanity for generations to come!
ADOPT A BISON
Written for enjoyment and educational purposes only.
sources: Nat Geo, IUCN Red List, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and defenders.org
*All images taken from Google for educational purposes. I do not claim any involvement with the creation, distribution, or ownership of pictures used in this article.
*I am not associated with and do not work for defenders.org
