American Bison
They were hunted in great numbers
With its stubborn appearance, this strapping bovine can weigh up to a ton and measure 1m80 at its withers.
It is at ease even in the harshest cold (down to -30°C) thanks to the thick collar of fur around its neck and on its shoulders.
Immense million-head herds of these powerful herbivores used to live on the large America prairies cheek by jowell with the Red Indians.
On the arrival of the white man, especially in the 19th century, the bison were hunted in great numbers and practically exterminated, to such an extent that there were only a few hundred of them left at the beginning of the 20th century!
Today, thanks to effective protection measures and reproduction programmes, this splendid animal has been saved from extinction ; herds are grazing again in the national parks and nature reserves of America and they can also be seen in several zoos.
Their meat is even being marketed again on a small scale, like that of game.
A "near threatened" spieces
- Name: American Bison
- Latin name: Bison bison
- Origin: Unites States and Canada
- IUCN status: Near threatened
- Cites: --