Buffalo

Endangered Buffalo

Buffalo once roamed North America by the millions--30,000,000 by the time white men arrived. The animals were slaughtered on a large scale and placed on the endangered list for many years.

Decimation of the herds occurred for several reasons, and all relate back to white men. When guns were introduced by whites and acquired by Native Americans, the hunting of the buffalo was much easier. Still tribes only harvested animals needed to survive and used the entire animal. Severe droughts over the years depleted the grasslands, and the buffalo food supply dwindled. It was the encroachment of farmers and ranchers pushing the herds further west that spelled doom for the large mammals.

The introduction of the railroad onto the plains provided the reason to destroy the animals. The herds traveled in groups large enough to destroy the rails of the tracks. Large railroad crews needed to be fed so wide scale slaughtering began. Easterners also coveted the warm buffalo robes the animals provided. Lastly, killing off the animals kept Native Americans from their most valuable resource.

Off the endangered list, buffaloes have made a comeback. Now considered to be healthier than most meat, it is sought after by Americans today.

The following websites will provide more information about the American buffalo.

https://www.fws.gov/bisonrange/timeline.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_bison
https://www.defenders.org/bison/basic-facts
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bison_hunting