Picture of the day - January 8, 2006

Bison Grazing On The Great Plains

When the first Europeans landed in the new world, they discovered massive herds of bison (also widely known as buffalo) grazing on the great plains of North America. Many of those bison herds were so large that when the animals ran it sounded like thunder rolling across the plains! The Europeans also discovered that the bison was well respected and revered by Native Americans, and for good reason - they depended heavily on the buffalo herds as a source of food and clothing. They never hunted bison for sport, only when they needed to harvest one or two to replenish their supplies. A precipitous decline of the buffalo in North America began with the westward push of American settlers. With the aid of horses and firearms, they killed bison by the thousands without giving a thought to what they were doing to the ever-thinning herds. By the dawn of the 20th century, the once huge buffalo population had been reduced to fewer than 1,000 bison and they were well on their way to extinction. But with the formation of the American Bison Society in 1905, the tide began to turn in the buffalo's favor. Finally free to roam on protected land and private ranches, the population of the mighty buffalo has increased to nearly a quarter of a million, ensuring that these majestic animals will be around for our children and grandchildren to enjoy...and for Native Americans to revere as in times of old.   Picture Of The Day Homepage | Submit a photo Interesting Articles