HAPPY THEY ARE BACK

It is estimated that from 30-60 million bison may have roamed North America prior to the mid-1800s. Market hunting and sport hunting in the 1800's by European-American settlers and the U.S. Army campaign in the late 1800's to eliminate bison (as a way to control Native American tribes that depended on them for food), nearly decimated the species. Yellowstone was the only place in the contiguous 48 states where wild, free-ranging bison persisted into the 20th century. 

By 1902, Yellowstone’s bison were reduced by poaching to approximately two dozen animals. From that small herd has grown the two large herds now occupying Yellowstone National Park. Many people consider the protection and recovery of bison in Yellowstone to be one of the great triumphs of American conservation. 

Yellowstone is the only place in the United States where bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times. 

Bison fun facts: 

• In Yellowstone today, the bison population fluctuates between 2300-4500 animals.
• The bison is the largest land mammal in North America. Males (bulls) weigh up to 2,000 pounds, females (cows) weigh up to 1,000 pounds.
• Bison are among the most dangerous animals encountered by visitors to the various U.S. and Canadian national parks and will attack humans if provoked. They appear slow because of their lethargic movements but can easily outrun humans. 
• Bison have been observed running as fast as 40 miles per hour. 
• They can jump 6 feet vertically and pivot quickly.
• A bison’s massive hump is comprised of muscles supported by long vertebrae. This allows a bison to use its head as a snowplow in winter, swinging side to side to sweep aside the snow!

Not sure about you, but I'm glad they are back! And like the rest of Nature, they should be left to be what they are. Wild and free.

"The greatest joy in nature is the absence of man."

Bliss Carman (1861-1929)