Yesterday, May 9, 2016, President Obama signed the National Bison Legacy Act into law, officially making the American bison the national mammal of the United States.
This majestic animal joins the ranks of the Bald Eagle as the official symbol of our country — and much like the eagle, it’s one of the greatest conservation success stories of all time.
In prehistoric times, millions of bison roamed North America — from the forests of Alaska and the grasslands of Mexico to Nevada’s Great Basin and the eastern Appalachian Mountains. But by the late 1800s, there were only a few hundred bison left in the United States after European settlers pushed west, reducing the animal’s habitat and hunting the bison to near extinction.
Had it not been for a few private individuals working with tribes, states and the Interior Department, the bison would be extinct today.
Explore more fun facts about the American bison:
1. Bison are the largest mammal in North America. Male bison (called bulls) weigh up to 2,000 pounds and stand 6 feet tall, while females (called cows) weigh up to 1,000 pounds and reach a height of 4-5 feet. Bison calves weigh 30-70 pounds at birth.
2. Since the late 19th century, Interior has been the primary national conservation steward of the bison. Public lands managed by Interior support 17 bison herds — or approximately 10,000 bison — in 12 states, including Alaska.
3. What’s the difference between bison and buffalo? While bison and buffalo are used interchangeably, in North America the scientific name is bison. Actually, it’s Bison bison bison (genus: Bison, species: bison, subspecies: bison), but only saying it once is fine. Historians believe that the term “buffalo” grew from the French word for beef, “boeuf.”
4.Yellowstone National Park is the only place in the U.S. where bison have continuously lived since prehistoric times. What makes Yellowstone’s bison so special is that they’re the pure descendants (free of cattle genes) of early bison that roamed our country’s grasslands. As of July 2015, Yellowstone’s bison population was estimated at 4,900 — making it the largest bison population on public lands.
See more great facts with fantastic colour photographs at: https://www.doi.gov/blog/15-facts-about-our-national-mammal-american-bison
- Launch of Rotherham Heroes community hub and volunteer programme
- Cot bed designer jailed over York baby choke death failure
- Car park for Rotherham magistrates court site
- Yorkshire Show 1902
- Stonehenge was ‘hub for Britain’s earliest mass parties’
- Latest news in Yorkshire: August 03, 2017 09:07:21 AM
- Man charged with alleged rapes in Doncaster
- Man sentenced for sexual abuse of child in 1960s
- Wath Grammar School – c1920
- Reported theft of CCTV camera in Thurcroft
- South Yorkshire woodland body murder suspect bailed
- wathupondearne Latest news in Yorkshire: October 16, 2018 01:29:50 PM
- It’s not too late to study at UCB this September
- New rules for landlords come into force on Monday – RMBC reminder
- Wath All Saints Church
- Tutor Richard set for German exhibition
- Doncaster man jailed for baseball bat attack
- Whispers of Time: A Reverence for Wath-upon-Dearne, the Queen of Villages
- Yorkshire’s most dangerous pets
- GB Bike display crash boy a British champion
- My Home Town in Colourful History
- Boys to be dealt with for damage to Barnsley monument
- Barnsley antisocial behaviour
- What’s On At Montgomery Hall – Wath
- COVID-19: Stay at home, unless it’s essential
- Dental patient awarded £7,000 in compensation
- Apprenticeship recruitment fair – Friday 1st February
- Barnsley Safeguarding Children Board has changed its name
- Barnsley Sixth Form College celebrates 99% pass rate
- Rotherham care homes could close
- Making informed choices – Retail Halal meat codes
- Woman dies following Woodhouse collision
- Handbag theft in Rotherham
- Recycling – it’s worth it
- Man charged in connection to post office robberies
- Barnsley sexual assault – e-fit released
- CCTV appeal following Arbourthorne shooting – Sheffield
- Six men charged in connection to burglaries and robbery
- Career take off for former students
- Selective licensing scheme set to be rolled out in Thurcroft and Parkgate