Bison are returned to their ancestral plains
Bison at Fort Peck, with one of the newest herd members. (Bill Campbell)
Home on the range, where the deer and antelope play? Forget about it. How about buffalo (yeah, I know they’re really bison).
After years of dreaming about getting one of the original Americans back out on the prairie where they belong, we’re a big step closer to seeing it happen.
After killing every last buffalo they could find, and starving the native folks who relied on them for food, 19th century market hunters missed a couple of handfuls of buffalo deep in the high country that would become America’s first national park, Yellowstone. The offspring of this small herd are among the last genetically pure buffalo (most other buffalo scattered across the country carry some cow genes).
Native tribes in northern Montana for years have sought to reestablish herds using Yellowstone stock. Until this year, they were blocked by cattle interests. But then the state agreed to move approximately 60 buffalo to the Fort Peck Indian reservation in far northeastern Montana. The Fort Belknap reservation, located in north central Montana, has asked for some buffalo and will hopefully get them soon.
Earthjustice attorney Tim Preso has worked for years on behalf of wild buffalo. Most of this work has been to ease rules unnaturally restricting buffalo to the confines of Yellowstone National Park. Outside the park, buffalo have for years been set upon by federal and state agents in helicopters, snowmobiles and on horseback—all intent on driving them back into the park.
Many cattle ranchers and their ally, the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, worry that buffalo will infect their cattle with a cow disease brought by cattle from Europe. The disease has largely been eradicated from cattle herds in the 20th century. Oddly, elk, which are big carriers of the same disease, somehow seem to escape the wrath of the cattle industry for reasons no one seems to be able to articulate but might have something to do with their value to hunters.
Earthjustice attorney Tim Preso has worked to ease rules unnaturally restricting buffalo to the confines of Yellowstone.
When Montana recently moved the buffalo from the Yellowstone area to Fort Peck, interests allied with the cattle industry filed a lawsuit to block the transfer. Earthjustice intervened in the court case to defend the right of the state to transfer these buffalo back to their original stewards, the native people. The judge in the case has issued a preliminary injunction telling the state and tribe to not move any more buffalo until the case can be decided. Earthjustice has appealed that order to Montana’s supreme court on behalf of its clients, the National Wildlife Federation and Defenders of Wildlife.
The case should be decided soon and hopefully the last barriers to putting buffalo back where they belong will fall. All Americans, including the very first ones, will be better off knowing these magnificent creatures, specially evolved to live on the wind swept, cold, blistering hot, and sometimes drought stricken prairie, will be back where they came from. Since the buffalo arrived at Fort Peck, at least five new members to the herd have been born. Not bad for an area that has been without this key native species for over one hundred years.
Two of the five calves who have been born at the Fort Peck Indian reservation. (Bill Campbell)
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Beautiful ! thanks for the news, very informative and uplifting
it is about time to allow the bison to be returned to their home range. I'm assuming the cattle ranchers would prefer to have any bison straying from Yellowstone killed rather than live the life they were supposed to?! if it is true (haven't researched it yet) that elk ALSO carry the 'cattle disease' yet are not on the rancher's radar - it seems to prove that ranchers only are concerned with hunting the more desireous elk rather than watching over their herds of cattle. instead of killing everything they don't agree with - put some money into research and VACCINATE!
This kind of work, and upbeat news, is always good to hear. We are destroying so much of our environement, and the animals that live in it, that a bit of good news is a relief. Thanks.
American Bison are incredible animals and Cattle farmers should have no say in there future, the future of a species should not be jeopardized by cattle ranchers who are only in it to make a profit. Making Money should have no affect on bison, as our history and animals and land should be own objective, for future generations.
I am keeping my fingers crossed and my hopes high. This will be truely great!
This is wonderful news. The buffalo are part of our hertiage, and should be preserved for all time. I also agree that native americans should take care of them.
Is there no longer any room for wildness on the American Great Plains? Can't we restore at least a vestige of the ancient connection between native Americans and the bison? If that is incompatible with commercial meat production, then let's become vegetarians.
Thank you Tim Preso for all of the hard work and effort you devote toward these beautiful creatures. To me, they represent such tenacity in their survival. I am thrilled to know that they have an equally tenacious human on their side!
Yes, the Great Spirit, native peoples and all friends of the Earth are smiling at this great victory for bison and the land where they belong. Justice and restoration is only just beginning for America's bison. The folks at the Buffalo Field Campaign are the huge heroes for Yellowstone ecosystem bison. That fight will relentlessly continue until bison have reclaimed their native home throughout the plains and the West. We Earth defenders must also fight to re-protect America's wolves and make sure that never again will they be at the mercy of vile demonizers and satanic killers of nature. This is rancher Salazar's sick wolf policy in action and Obama, the Chicago city slicker with no love in his heart for wildlife, went along. US Dep't of Ag's "Wildlife Services" must now be defunded and eliminated. It's time for ecological justice and respect for all of America's native wildlife. Stop the violence and hatred. It's time to make peace with the Earth and all wildlife.
Go get'em, Earthustice!
European humans. They brought the destruction with them, and to this day, it still flourishes. With this endeavor, perhaps the Bison will once again become bountiful, as they once were.
FANTASTIC!!! As a native of Buffalo, NY, these, uh, 'buffalo' have always held a special place in my heart, and it is very heartwarming to see them back 'at home'. I have always supported NWF (a member and Certified) and Defenders (NONE better), and applaud their work on behalf of all God's critters! Bravo Earthjustice!!
Good news but man's desire to rape the land of all resources and never replinsh whatever is used or extracted will continue to threaten animals as well as the quality of the land.
What a splendid animal. Earthjustice, thank you for all you do.
For all that was taken from the first nations people, it is time too give back the bison that once provided all the native american needs until their needless slaughter for greed in the 1800's . If they are to be persecuted for life then so should the elk that carry the same disease the buffalo are not ever known too carry... Protect them return them too their native people. Restore the right too live for them and protect one of the most important links in American History the sacred Buffalo.. Mitakuye Oyasin "in the spirit of Crazy Horse" Neache Iroquois Nation
I was so happy and very relived to read this article. Buffalo on the prairies are an icon of American history. A big and heartfelt thank you to all the people who have been active in making this change.
It is so RIGHT to return the Buffalo to the native people who once honored them and maintained their well being. Buffalo are a majestic species that everyone in our country should be proud to steward.
Bring back the buffalo, we don't need that many cattle which just pollute the water with all their waste. Eat less meat and we don't need the thousands and thousands of cattle. The wolves will naturally maintain the buffalo herds and then the ranchers will have even less to complain about as the wolves won't have to kill the cattle.
Sweet!
Very exciting news! Wonderful to see these native animals back in their home.
Do we know for sure that the buffalo will be in good hands on the reservations? After all, the ancestors of those who live on these reservations also contributed to the destruction of buffalo herds.
Let them roam and be happy, free, it is so beautiful
Let them roam and be happy, free, it is so beautiful
What wonderful news! Now.........let's pray hunters will "have a heart" and let the buffalo thrive. Lord knows there are ENOUGH species in this world becoming extinct.
Oh, supreme fact about this good post. Will please inform me how long period of time this could take? Because I want to create some doctoral thesis or may be that would be better to purchase the thesis writing. Thank you.
We all should have a BIG interest in our wild life, & I have been following the wild mustangs that have been rounded up by the 'B L M' . They are rounded up by helicopter, who pays for this? taxpayers. The horses are chased for over an hour, put into very small overcrowded pens, & taken to slaughter or left in these pens. WHY? The cattle lobbyists want the CATTLE to have the range, & now the Bison will be shoved off just like the horses due to the cattle ranchers & their money. Many of my friends who share the same thinking on wild animals, have quit eating meat. I encourage all of you to stop eating meat, & write, call, the supreme court & tell them to let the Bison be on the range, for there is plenty room for them & they should be here. The same thing is being done to to the wild horses herds, by Ken Salazar. I asked him at a BLM meeting about these round ups, & he had my mic taken away & TURNED OFF. He didn't want to talk about this & discouraged anyone from addressing the round ups. This political action is very upsetting to me. I think wild life has every right to be in our country, & the control these departments are imposing on them, needs to stop.
I was charmed to read this article and very glad to see a magnificent species recovering!
Hooray for the buffalo and the indians!
Right on! It's just amazing how we, as consumers, are forced to accept the dictates of industry, Big industry. We don't even know what is being done on a daily basis. Our rights to "our" nature here on earth have been stripped away for so long(especially from native americans) that we don't even know what we're missing! We don't know what is correct. We don't know our connection with nature anymore. Anyone with half a mind and soul knows deep down inside that the buffalo being moved to Montana is a good move. It feels good and it connects all of us. How could this be denied in the first place? Thank goodness for people like you fighting for the rights of nature.... our rights. Thankyou.
This is wonderful news. Hopefully, when our grandchildren are old enough to make an extended trip, we can bring them to see these magnificent animals.
Gods Children from long ago are Back !! Halia . Please keep them safe to grow big and strong For * All American Children NOW AND YEARS TO COME BEABLE TO PUT THEIR EYES ON ANOTHER CREATION FROM THE ALMIGHTY HIMSELF ***** DO THIS IN THE NAME OF OUR CRERATOR 'JESUS '******** HAVE A BLESSED SUNDAY MY BROTHERS *&* SISTERS
I recently saw a PBS program which showed these Bison from Yellowstone Park. I was so thrilled to discover that some of the original Bison which had lived for thousands of years across the Plains still existed. Imagine my dismay when they showed these same majestic animals being hunted and shot down whenever they left the confines of Yellowstone National Park. It broke my heart!
Wonderful, awesome and really...thrilling!
Jolly good show - kudos to all involved
I'm very touched by what you are doing. Thank you.
I call on you to give the buffalo their right to roam on all Indiian lands. This animal roamed these lands long before cattle did and has more right to be here. We need to bring back this countries native species.
"The idea of wilderness needs no defense. It only needs more defenders."
Convert Great Plains to Buffaland; shoot cows on sight & on-site; compensate ranchers
When the Europeans came to the Americas they brought smallpox, diptherea etc with them. Who is to say their cattle weren't the ones infected with brucelosis ? Which in teun infected a lot of the native wildlife here ? Those first settlers hunted many Native species to extinction, Buffalo are a sacred animal to Native Americans. Is the White man going to screw them again?
This is awesome that the once mighty buffalo will soon regain their rightful place to roam. Keep up the fight on behalf of the original Americans.
Thank you and keep up the good work. This is wonderful news!
This makes me very happy indeed :)
Since the time of the Great Dust Bowl phenomenon, the "personality" of the plains has changed radically. At this time in the present condition the Plains are in, can they support a large herd of Bison with enough food and habitat for the Bison to flourish?
A wonderful story. I salute you. My wife and I visited Yellowstone over 50 years ago. Now we can dream of great herds of these creatures again wandering across the plains.
The arrogance of the Europeans who came to this land continues. I was amazed to learn that the people who lived here before were not given the right to vote until 1924. Where did we get the right to call this land 'America?' Or to call its inhabitants 'Indians.' The cattle industry has no right to keep these magnificent animals restricted to Yellowstone.
Help them!
take down all the fences and let them roam. They wil still do less harm than drunk drivers. These fine animals are the blood of the People and they deserve the restoration that you seek.
This was a fascinating article and the Buffalo are as iconic to America as the Bald Eagle. The West has seen drought and this year will be the same. While cattle can not tolerate the harsh conditions the Buffalo can. I think the cattle ranchers need to rethink about a herd that can thrive and survive and once again let the buffalo flourish in the old west. We have to get back to our roots and realize the old ways are tried and true.
That Is incredable brings tears to mmy eyes. As usual the cattle industry hates it tho they feed their cattle food that causes mad cow desease. I say move many more.
Thanks, Tim, for your hard work! We're at your back! (a Nebraska Plains boy...who's seen the prairie meadows plowed up, the quail, coyotes and deer eradicated...and for what purpose? We can do without corporate farms, but Nature is not replaceable.)
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