Notes to Self. The American Buffalo

We are the most dangerous species in the world. We kill and destroy for our own gain, needlessly and brutally, but we can also one day come to our senses and begin to save what we have almost destroyed.

A few days ago I watched Ken Burts' film " The American Buffalo" about the tragic history of the American Buffalo, which sustained the lives of Native people for generations.

These largest surviving animals that once roamed the Great Plains may have gone extinct in the late 1800s.  They were hunted and killed by white people.  A dead Buffalo was a source of income for whites and one less Buffalo for use by natives. 

 

November 20, 2020. Antelope Island

Before buffalo herds were driven to the brink of near extinction, once upon a time they roamed the continent in numbers of up to 50 million. 

September30, 2022.  Antelope Island

When calves are born they can get up within 30 seconds and soon go with the herd but without their mother they cannot survive.  When you kill a female buffalo her calves will die.  So many females were killed, and so many calves have died over decades of buffalo hunting. 

  

 

June 14, 2022. Antelope Island

The Buffalo were practically exterminated by white hunters for their skins, fur, horns and tongues.

What happened was a disgrace to American people in general. It was unprecedented cruelty and greed.

December 17, 2020. Antelope Island

The conservationists brought Buffallo's population back from a few hundred to nearly 350,000 today.

One day they put 15 Buffalo on the train and brought them west to the Great Plains. It was the largest migration of these animals. 

The buffalo were brought to Oklahoma to their native land, their old home and gradually the population of these amazing creatures began to increase.

September 30, 2022. Antelope Island.

Once upon a time on February 15, 1893 twelve buffalo, 4 bulls (males), 4 cows (females) and four calves were taken by boat to Antelope Island by William Glassman and John Dolly. These animals came from a small private farm in Texas and grew into a herd on the island.

 Now we have about 600 buffalo, and they are well protected.

When you see a buffalo, you see life, you see hope, you see future.

Generally, life is good.