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American Buffalo: In Search of a Lost Icon

Carson Blair

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Published in Steven Rinella

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The American buffalo, once a symbol of the American West, was nearly driven to extinction in the 19th century. Today, thanks to conservation efforts, the buffalo is making a comeback. But the story of the buffalo is not just a story of conservation. It is also a story of the American people, and of our relationship with the land and its wildlife.

American Buffalo: In Search of a Lost Icon

by Steven Rinella

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3338 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Print length	:	306 pages

In this beautifully written and richly illustrated book, author and photographer Dan Flores tells the story of the American buffalo, from its pre-Columbian origins to its near extinction in the 19th century to its resurgence today. Flores traces the buffalo's journey across the American landscape, from the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains to the Sonoran Desert. He explores the buffalo's role in Native American culture and in the westward expansion of the United States. And he examines the ways in which the buffalo has been both celebrated and exploited by Americans over the centuries.

A Pre-Columbian Icon

The American buffalo is a native of North America. It is the largest land mammal in the Western Hemisphere, and it once roamed the Great Plains in vast herds. Before the arrival of Europeans, there were an estimated 30 million buffalo in North America. They were a vital part of the ecosystem, providing food, clothing, and shelter for Native Americans.

Native Americans revered the buffalo. They believed that the buffalo was a sacred animal, and they used every part of the buffalo for food, clothing, and shelter. The buffalo was also an important source of spiritual power for Native Americans.

The Westward Expansion and the Decline of the Buffalo

The westward expansion of the United States in the 19th century had a devastating impact on the American buffalo. As settlers moved west, they killed buffalo for their meat, hides, and fur. They also destroyed the buffalo's habitat by plowing up the prairie and grazing their cattle on the land.

By the end of the 19th century, the American buffalo was nearly extinct. There were only a few thousand buffalo left in the wild, and they were scattered in small herds across the Great Plains.

The Conservation of the Buffalo

In the early 20th century, conservationists began to realize that the American buffalo was in danger of extinction. They lobbied for the protection of the buffalo, and in 1905, the American Bison Society was founded. The American Bison Society worked to protect the remaining buffalo herds and to establish new herds in protected areas.

Thanks to the efforts of conservationists, the American buffalo has made a comeback. Today, there are an estimated 500,000 buffalo in North America. The buffalo is still an important part of the ecosystem, and it is once again a symbol of the American West.

The American Buffalo Today

The American buffalo is a resilient animal. It has survived centuries of persecution and exploitation. Today, the buffalo is a symbol of the American spirit. It is a reminder of our past, and it is a hope for our future.

The American buffalo is a national treasure. It is a part of our heritage, and it is a part of our future. We must continue to protect the buffalo and its habitat. We must ensure that future generations can enjoy the beauty and majesty of this iconic animal.

The American buffalo is a living symbol of the American West. It is a reminder of our past, and it is a hope for our future. We must continue to protect the buffalo and its habitat. We must ensure that future generations can enjoy the beauty and majesty of this iconic animal.

American Buffalo: In Search of a Lost Icon

by Steven Rinella

4.8 out of 5