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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.
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