National Mammal: The Bison, A Good Idea

credit: Walter Jesse Barbee

We have a national bird, so why not a national mammal? There is no other mammal, except perhaps the grizzly bear--already taken--that represents America in the global popular imagination than the American bison (Bison bison)*. Associated with characteristics of strength, independence, and fortitude the buffalo as national mammal is a good idea which could help recover the species from its historic near-extermination, and serve as a public relations tool to further conservation of remaining wild places and wild species. In short, the buffalo is no turkey. Two senators from Wyoming and South Dakota introduced S. 3248, the Bison Legacy Act last month.

The bill has bipartisan co-sponsors in the Senate, but few fans among the extremist elements of the ranching culture in Montana and Idaho who are already on record as hating the wolf too. Both Montana senators who are conservative Democrats are not talking about the initiative. Senator John Tester is up for re-lelection against a card-carrying rich Repugnant who portrays himself as a Montana rancher, so he is not returning any calls about a national mammal. Both Indians and conservationists are supporting the bill, albeit the Indians may see the bison as a traditional food source and potential money-maker. The outgoing Montana governor is supportive.

Recently, as noted in this space, 63 genetically pure, wild buffalo were released to Fort Peck Reservation, {21.03.12} but almost immediately a district court judge blocked any additional relocation efforts in Montana. The bill would not directly affect the way bison are managed by the federal government. Nevertheless, making the bison an official symbol of the United States does elevate the animal's status in the minds of the public. If you would like to see America make a gesture of reconciliation for its mistreatment of a noble animal that once roamed its Great Plains in the millions, vote bison.

*the bison is relatively a new immigrant to the North American continent having crossed the Bering Strait when it was dry. There are drawings of the its European cousin on the walls of Neolithic caves. But how much more appropriate could an animal be to represent the vast majority of European Americans who are also newly arrived, geologically speaking, to this land. Of course, Native Americans living on the Great Plains when the white man arrived revered the buffalo as central to their culture and survival. One reason the buffalo faced extermination in the 19th Century. If the bison became the national mammal then it would be appropriate to establish a permanent home for it on theproposed Buffalo Commons--the former shortgrass prairie where agriculture is biologically unsustainable. There are 6,000 ghost towns in Kansas alone, so are stampedes really a problem?.