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Subscribe to RSSFor the first time in more than a century, a herd of purebred Yellowstone bison are roaming in Montana. NBC's Anne Thompson reports.
Fans of bison are lobbying Congress to declare America's largest land mammal the "national mammal" -- putting it right up there with the bald eagle as an American icon. But bison have their critics, as well as competition: killer whales are mammals, too, and then there's that other widespread mammal: humans.
"The North American Bison is an enduring symbol of America, its people and a way of life," Sen. Michael Enzi, R-Wyo., said in a statement Friday announcing the "National Bison Legacy Act."
"Throughout history, the bison has been the center of the economic and spiritual lives of American Indians and is an important historical symbol of the United States," added co-sponsor Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D.
They introduced the bill at the request of an alliance among the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Intertribal Buffalo Council and the National Bison Association.
Nearly 60 Yellowstone bison are back home on Montana's range, but not everyone's happy about it.
"The bison is the nation’s most culturally recognizable animal and as such deserves recognition through designation and celebration," the alliance noted. "Bison currently appear on two state flags, on the seal of the Department of the Interior, and on U.S. currency. In addition, bison have been adopted as the state mammal of Wyoming, Oklahoma and Kansas."
Tens of millions of bison, or buffalo, once roamed North America, but the species dwindled to about 1,000 by the early 1900s. The numbers are back to an estimated 20,000 in the wild today. In addition, about 500,000 commercial bison are on 4,000 ranches.
In recent years, efforts have been made to put wild bison on more parts of the West -- including the transfer in March of about 60 Yellowstone bison to Montana's Fort Peck Reservation.
But the symbolic act would not provide added protections for wild bison, which have their enemies.
In Montana, The Associated Press noted, livestock producers and property advocates have filed lawsuits to stop free-roaming bison, arguing they tear down fences, spread disease and compete with domestic cattle for grass.
And Boulder, Colo., this week rebuffed billionaire Ted Turner's donation of a bison herd for public viewing. It cited cost concerns and public opposition.
John Calvelli, spokesman for the Wildlife Conservation Society, told the AP that the effort is meant to transcend such issues.
"This isn't about getting into the middle of these issues of bison and property rights," he said. "No matter what political stripe you come from, we can all agree on the important role that bison have played."
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Leave a Comment:
We've already stolen almost everything from the Native Americans. The bison is a powerful symbol to them. Leave it alone. Is this really necessary?
I don't think making the Bison a national mammal steals anything from the Indians. Now you if you go to a Cleveland Indians baseball game and see the cheesy Indian Smile Mascot you might have a case..........
The Indians killed and skined the buffalo. They didn't have one zoo for buffalo. Two good things have been done for buffalo. A town was named for them and their likeness was stamped on the back of the nickle.
America's already stolen the continent from them, so one can say that the buffalo's probably already included in that theft. Seriously, though - I don't see making the buffalo a national animal as "stealing" from the Native Americans, since it's not their's anymore than any other creature native to the continent is their's
I vote for the wolf. They mate for life and the male helps raise his pups.
Why not have a national "keystone specie", the wolf and our oldest mammal, the bison, our national mammal. Both are as American as bald eagles and hickory trees. God shed His grace on thee...
The bison survived the Great Mammal Dieoff. This nation pushed extinct two species of bison, the eastern wood bison and one other. The Plains bison almost fell extinct. A Native American captured the last six little babies left in America, and some free-thinking ranchers knew they were going to be extinct. They took them in, sheltered them, and these six babies became the Yellowstone herd, the real, pure American bison.
I have two books in my library I could never read; they were so disturbing, so vile and so evil, I couldn't read them. One was the history of what One Nation Under God did to the bison, and the other, the massacre of the Native Californians by white, Amierican Christians.
As it began so shall it return...
there are more cattle in montana than there are people -these selfish b@st@rds need to get over it, they'll be just fine and the bison more than any cattle have a right to be there and roam free -they are endangered!
Bison are much more important, more intelligent and better looking than humans. If you want to extinct a species, humans should be at the top of the list. Then the bison can have its range back.
If we must have a national mammal, I can think of no other candidate that would be better than the Bison, a symbol of the American west and an animal that was immortalized on the nickel until the design changed.
Why would anyone select an orca? This animal has no specific ties to America since it roams the oceans of the world.
No, we don't need one, all it will lead to is National....Fish...Reptile.....Insect....Tree....etc. This idea just brings all the loonies wanting to push their idiot ideas on to people. After a few years of roaming wild in the parks they would have to be thinned out as the heards would be large enough to be a nuicense. This event could generate revenues to the states that have them. They could hold lotteries to be able purchase an expensive hunting license. Maine does this with the Moose every few years.
Oh Come On NBC!!! Where did you find the Redneck to write such idiotic choices to an honest question? I guess I can expect nothing better from a News Media that runs at the word,"Republican." Still affraid to to write the "Political Truth" to the American people. If you try to stiffle me, that will show all your readers that I'm 100% right. On the other haand if you ignore you'll make the readers think you don't pay any attention and that I'll go away, but, not before other readers start looking into you and find the truth and start asking the same questions. I gave you your right to freedom of the press. Now use it.
I agree with 727 its not about stealing anything, and most of this country was bought and paid for through acquisitions. If the Oregon Territory hadn't gone the way it did we would be Canadians now. Oh back to the subject if we were to have a national Mammal either the Bison or the Rosevelt Elk would be good!
Seems to me, in light of history, the honor of naming such a symbol should go to Americas original caretakers...Americas native indians, a people known for their love and respect for the land and its wildlife...
Art, the indians didn't preserve anything. They slaughtered bison by the thousands by running them over cliffs and then taking the choice cuts. I have respect for them but they were not awsome game wardens.
Lots of hyperbole and very few facts, as usual. The Plains People used every part of the animal, everything. The Buffalo was sacred and it was revered as the giver of life. White Buffalo Calf woman gave instructions to the tribes, she gave them the Chanupa and taught them the holy ways.
To destroy them was to destroy the people of the plains and the US government, in cahoots with the railroads, set out to systematically destroy these animals and they almost drove them to extinction. The few stragglers and survivors were rounded up and those Native peoples who could do so, began bringing them back. Some Anglos also got in on the act, Turner being one of the wealthier ones.
Today they are ranched, raised like cattle and their meat is sold in higher end grocers and restaurants. It is very lean and very good. Many cattlemen don't like anything competing with their grazing so buffalo, like wild horses, are still persecuted and destroyed by the government. Wolves that preyed on the buffalo, the buffalo wolves which are a much larger species than their timberland relatives, also suffered from near extinction but again, a few stalwart souls helped to preserve the species.
America would be a very, very sad and tragic place indeed if these animals were gone. Blessing on those who helped keep them alive and yes, I vote for them as a national mammal. Pfft to those who don't.
The Buffalo is not a north american animal, it comes from Mexico that is why it has a spanish name. I don't think it will be a great idea to make it a North American symbol. They should research first.
The trouble with this is that it would take another department of the federal government to administer this and take a billion dollar budget to do it.
Nope, the Bison or Buffalo are indeed North American animals. They originated in Eurasia and crossed the Bering Land Bridge into North America and from there spread across the continent and far into Mexico. Many groups of humans also followed the same route.
Go to Wikipedia, they have a rather exhaustive source of information on these animals.
mygirl1...(#1.16).."Many groups of humans also followed the same route."
I been saying that all along....There are no "Native Americans"....They came from Mongolia...In Alaska they are called Eskimos.....Moving further south they became the "Indian"Tribes in North America and the original Inca and Mayan tribes in Central America....All Nomadic peoples, they went where the food sources were......Viking explorers were also in North America at the same time...
mmmm...bison burgers.....
I second that onomatopoeia. Our most tasty native animal should also be our national mammal.
Yep, bison is great to eat, better than beef.
Maybe all these fine wildlife groups and outstanding politicians could get together and finally solve the bison's problem at Yellowstone National Park! Naw! why do that when you can raise more money, satisfy a voting block that you need to get re-elected, and make the headlines. Solutions are NOT the goal when the money and publcity keep you on top! Ignorance, politics, and money, sounds like a winning formula for winning the hearts and minds of the public! Have a Great Memorial Weekend!
personally I am pushing for the naked mole rat.
Awwww, man I have never seen one and I just finished supper. You owe me an ice cold beer. :)
Good choice...
Maybe use the constant consuming Shrew... Might reflect the American way better.
I'm thinking with the obesity problem in the US, that the bison is quite appropriate
Not too far from me the Natives drove these magnificent beasts over a cliff or would sneak up on them and use a lance or bow and arrow. I am all for it! Bison Rule!
I've heard that before too! I Couldn't believe that they'd drive them over a cliff.
Yes, but the Native Americans killed infinitely fewer than the cold winters on the plains of America. It was this nation that came the closest to pushing every bison in America extinct. USA did push extinct, the eastern wood bison, larger than the plains bison and one other specie of native, American bison.
Pres U.S. Grant gave the order to push extinct the plains bison to starve out the Native Americans. Every bison in one nation under god was pushed extinct but six, tiny, little babies. A Native American rescued them, and a few free-thinking ranchers knew they would be extinct. They took them in, sheltered them, and they became the Yellowstone herd, pure bison DNA.
Around 700,000 plains bison quickly became, only six little babies left. At least the Native Americans didn't slaughter 700,000 plains bison and push extinct the woods bison and one other native American bison.
And, it was this nation, not the Native Americans, that pushed extinct swiftly, the most numerous bird on the planet, seven billion passenger pigeons. This bird was the talk of Europe. All Europeans wanted to see the bird that drew lightning from the firmament and was the "living wind". No extinctions can be attributed to the Native Americans. Not one.
My grandfather witnessed the feathered lightning and talked about it, but alas, my grandfather's joy became my grief because, no one will ever witness these clouds of birds ever again that were the living wind.
When it comes to destroying life, human beings have no equal and within that group, White Europeans hold a good lead.
Hey, the Indians had to eat and they used just about every inch of the buffalo for food, clothes, wigwams, travois, tools, etc. The bison was a godsend to the plains tribes.
Yes, they did efficiently use basically every part of the buffalo (American Bison). And they co-existed with the buffalo for many centuries prior to the Europeans coming here and all but causing their extinction by wasteful mass slaughter.
Agree with this I do.
How about the white buffalo ?
Everyone is in awe of the white buffalo.
Makes a great tourist attraction, can be bred rather easily, and it sure is politically @!$%#ing correct.
White Buffalo for everyone!
White Buffalo...the other white meat.
Just a few days ago, a little white baby bison was killed for his white fur. I saw photos of him before he was butchered.
@ izmee
... you just dishonored one of the most sacred archetypal beings in "our" universe by that statement.
IDIOT
I'm all for letting the Buffalo roam, as the National Mammal. Let the deer and the antelope play, their cool, but the American Bison is a few steps way beyond cool.
The Indians hunted them for food, clothing, to make their homes, they used everything. They did not kill them just for fun. The White man just killed them for the fun of it and also to starve the Indians out. We should for once let the Indians decide, the White man just screws things up!
I believe the white man also consumed a fairly large amount of the bison they killed. I can agree that the natives were more efficient consumers, but I have never heard that the white man killed the bison just for fun and to starve out the native populations. thanks for filling me in smartypants.
Tdub, Might wanna catch that Kevin Costnar movie "Dances With Wolves", or read some history books, or try that Internet machine. Slaughtering the bison to starve out the Plains Indians was government policy. Some of our prouder moments! Ranks right up there with the Orphan Trains from the 1850s to the 1930's. 250,000 Sex slaves and free laborers........We are the civilized ones?????
Wasn't the Bald Eagle chosen as the national bird, because it was also an admired bird by the Indians?
Concerned, you are so correct. Pres Grant gave the order to kill every plain bison left in the USA to starve out the plains Native Americans, slaughtering 7 million? Six, little babies were the only plains bison left in America. A Native American captured them, and several free-thinking ranchers who knew the six would die also, took them in, sheltered them, and they became the Yellowstone herd.
One Nation Under God did push extinct the eastern Wood Bison and one other specie of American bison. Have you ever researched what this country was like before the white conquerors appeared here? They hit the east coast with their blonde, blue eyed angel or Manifest Destiny and laid to waste a continent in record time. It took Europe 2 thousand years to devour the Earth and only USA 200 years.
Every elk in the east was butchered, billions of passenger pigeons, mountain lions in every state, elk slaughtered in every eastern state, the Carolina parakeet gone forever...A long and sad list.
listen people,the native american were here way before the white man .now i know you know this we can all get along here together theres plenty of room for us to live together and help one another this shouldn't be a issue please let's try and get along our native americans are human being's and need our help as much as we need theres .i am very proud to see the buffalo back it is there heriratge and ours to godbless you all signed richard wolfpack
read up on "Buffalo Bill"...
they hunted them for thier skins - ALL the RAGE back East. kill a few, skin, repeat
Forget the buffalo. There are over 100,000 of them running wild and in private reserves in North American and Canada. Plains Bison, Woods Bison, and hybrids galore. We can do better than have a rather dumb-ass bovine as the National Mammal of the USA - if such a thing is really needed for anything but a stamp or a license plate logo. Also, the myth of the "white man" destroying the buffalo is just that - a myth. What destroyed the Buffalo THEN and NOT now was the Westward expansion of people with a Pioneer spirit that made this land what it is. Pioneers and technology (railroad) just hastened the process. The Native American story IS sad, but no more tragic, and perhaps much LESS horrendous than the Spanish exploration of South American and the Caribean; the British colonialization of India and Africa, and the French expansion into Canada, the Pacific, Indochina, and about a third of the world. At least some tribes were left to survive by the "victors". If the Romans had discovered America, there would'nt be a native american left alive today! It there is one lesson to be learned from history, it is that the more primitive a culture the less likely it will survive in the long run. Wanting it to be different will NEVER make it so except in the minds of idealists and those living in a fantasy world. My choice for the Nat Mam would be the Mountain Lion, since it is the only native big cat in the USA, is the ultimare predator, has survived and thrived when other species have perished or been driven out of natural range. It is intelligent, fierce, deadly, efficient, and yet nuturing and an apex predator on which most other species depend on for their own survival. There is nothing like the North American Mountain Lion ANYWHERE. There are variations in Mexico, Central, and South America - but the NA Lion is unique - just like America and American's. It represents who we are as a people better than anything else.
On behalf of Buffs everywhere, I gotta tell you they did great until the white man got here.
I say we vote for the Beaver, evryone loves Beavers.
What about the Jaguar. They used to roam the southwest and are still present in certain pockets of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Deep, deep, deep southern areas of these states. Not as prevalent as they once were but at one time they were native to the U.S. Not saying they should be a national mammal just pointing out that they were another native big cat. I would vote for the NA Mountain Lion though. Good choice.
Dunno...I am a Colorado Buffalo...and beaver works for me.
@JP 345944, It's true the westward expansion didn't help the Buffalo, The expansion went to the west coast, no body stayed in the middle where the Buffalo were. There was a huge demand for Buffalo hides in the east. All sorts of leather goods were made, Reins, hats, leather gear, etc. I don't know this to be true, but I feel that the soldiers of the day probably ate Buffalo meat and had uses for the hides' But not to a great extent like the Indians. Passengers on trains shot the Buffalo just for target pratice. leaving the entire animal to rot. The fur trade waas the worse down fall of all others. A lot of people today don't realize how the trappers of the day almost eradicated the Beaver. Colorful birds of the Everglade were eliminated just for their feathers. Expansion may relocate the animals, but product demand, extincts them.
Mexico is in North America. I Like the Wolf it is much less dangerous than the Bison. and there are no Buffalo in the US they are in Africa, India and other parts of Asia, they are called Water Buffalo. Also, Mr Miguel Llanos should get an EDUCATION. The ORCA is a DOLPHIN; NOT A WHALE. There is no such animal as a Killer Whale.
@ gordon
... what? rofl - you are a fool "Sir".
Diligence 4Ever: Prove it. Look the animals up, that is if you have enough gumption to open an encyclopedia before you write statements without merit. "ignorance is bliss where it is folly to be wise"
The bison would be a good choice but the wolf would be even better.
Wait...What?!?! Are really wasting time, energy and money debating a freaking national mammal? Do you think that maybe we could concentrate on the millions of out of work, homeless, starving and ill Americans? I mean seriously, what the hell is wrong with the legislators in this country?
Well, totally Brian. If we didn't do this, and quit putting up the National Christmas tree, we'd save tons. I am sure of it.
Right,leave the christman tree alone
Awwww, Brian what's wrong? They are probably only spending several hundred thousand dollars of taxpayer money and will probably only take several years to decide the matter. lol
The democrats probably want the donkey and the republicans probably want the elephant. Both of which are entirely American. lol Although the donkey does represent the democratic party well, bunch of jackasses. lol
Really? What is this huge cost?
@tom-731252, and the elephant just spreads around a lot of S***.
lol 6dogs!
sing it brother!
Should our National Board Game be Monopoly or Trouble?
I know right?
Don't knock this too much. This crap is the only thing congress can do right. For 2 hours everyday they are in session the House makes 5 minute speeches praising coaches and talking about bicycle paths. These are very bipartisan both sides of the aisle praise the same coaches. They can name national days of just about everything check the congressional record. Now if they would put half that energy into compromising like adults to run the country. That I would celebrate.That would be a worthy news story.
You forgot, they have to pick out a color for annual event at the Regatta this year.
Awright.
All bison ment to America was something else in the way so we had to kill it. Kind of hyppocritical to name it the national anything. We should make all the things and people America has destroyed national somethings. Perhaps a very large wall of shame covered with pictures of all the people and creatures that no longer exist. I'm not a tree hugger. I'm an American and I assure you, we kill things. It's kinda our thing.
Makes me wanna kill a twelve pack.
You mean because you and your family are responsible for killing buffalo directly?Mine wasn't so---there's that
Sure a national animal fine.The ayes have it.Now-we have crippling debt,unemployment,infestation of illegals-can we do that?
When you say America, I assume you mean USA, and we have more of the human type mammals than Bison's, --but unfortunately they apparently do not know it any more so they are slowly dying off with Breast Cancer, so let us make them the national mammal, unless you want some real small billion mammals like Mice!!!---But the other one here suggested looks more USA fitting: brawny, like the eagle!
But with the usual comments about foreigners here, I should go back to EU and send all the 10 Mil US citizens home ASAP, so they can find their jobs here!--Yes, I know, just remember I was asked to come here!! And do science for you, but otherwise not much about treatment of all the people here--they just don't know what they are missing here!
Careful Bundgbaard, Thousands of those immigrants Died, if they had not; there would not be an over there for anyone to be sent to. Unless they all say Seig Heil. (I was born in EU; a Good Place to be FROM) not to stay. I thought this was a discussion concerning animals. I think you miss the point, Bison or BS. What is your choice ?
Pained-we can do that but the government keeps getting in the way!
Call your congressman and ask for a national day of almost anything and I promise you it will be in the congressional record before the end of the session unanimous. But get a budget out of the senate or almost anything passed by both houses. You dream.
There isn't anythng more important that this? That we want to waste time on this when there are way more important issues!! Without even reading the article!!!
Let these great animals FREE TO ROAM. Man is a savage who want to kill & make nothing but $$$$$$$$$$$.
Roam free sweet buffalo.........Be Free as you please!!!!!!
They do taste pretty sweet dont they.
Then put a bullet in our head to make room for them.