Bison

The enormous bison herds of North America shrank rapidly in the face of relentless over-hunting during the westward migration of European settlement. The presence of bison conflicted with the aspirations of people looking for land to settle and farm, and with the aims of government, which wanted to subdue the native tribes of Plains Indians. As the railroads were built through the Central Plains, travelers were encouraged to shoot bison from the windows of the train for fun and excitement. The carcasses were often left to rot. More important, however, was the huge market hunt for the plains bison, Bison (Bison bison) in Golden Gate Park, California. Photograph by Robert J. Huffman. Field Mark Publications. Reproduced by permission. with trainloads of butchered carcasses and hides being shipped to markets in American cities. By 1905, the excessive hunting resulted in only an endangered 500 bison left surviving on their range in the United States. A herd of endangered wood bison, discovered in northwestern Canada in 1957, is protected in Wood Buffalo National Park and nearby areas.

Although bison are still a threatened species, there has been some recovery and there are now substantial wild herds in some places, such as Yellowstone National Park. Some ranchers are raising semi-domestic animals and sell buffalo meat, which has less cholesterol than beef. It has even been suggested that herds of bison might once again be allowed to roam free on parts of the North American prairie, creating a tourist attraction to bring money to economically depressed areas. However, not much suitable habitat is left in a natural condition, and the enormous bison herds of the past will never again be seen.