American Bison

Hello from the Great Plains! My name is an American Bison, but lots of people call me a buffalo. I am a very big animal with a shaggy, furry coat that keeps me warm. My strong shoulders stick up and look like a big hump, and I have two sturdy horns on my head. I don't live by myself. I live with my whole family in a big group that is called a herd. We love to roam across the wide-open prairies of North America. My favorite thing to do all day is munch on the tasty green grass that grows everywhere. It's the perfect home for a big animal like me, with plenty of food and space to run.

My great-great-grandparents told me stories about a long, long time ago when millions of us roamed freely across the land. But then, a very sad and difficult time came for my kind in the late 1800s. Many people began hunting us for our coats and meat. It happened so often and so fast that we started to disappear. It was a very scary time for all bison. The prairies that once echoed with the sound of our hooves became quiet. By the year 1889, there were very few of us left living in the wild. We were in great danger of disappearing from the world forever, and everyone in my herd was afraid of what might happen to us next.

Just when it seemed like there was no hope left, some kind people saw that we were in trouble and decided they had to help us. In 1905, they came together and formed a special group called the American Bison Society. Their whole job was to protect us and make sure we would be safe. These new friends made special homes for us where no one could hunt us. One of the most famous places they made for us is Yellowstone National Park. In these safe places, we could finally relax and have our babies without being afraid. Our herds slowly began to grow bigger and stronger again. We were so grateful for our new human friends!

Today, I am happy to say that our herds are growing, and we have a very important job to do on the prairie. When I stomp my big hooves on the ground, I push seeds deep into the soil, which helps new plants grow. When I graze on the grass, I trim it down, which keeps the plains healthy for all the other animals and plants that live here. You could say I'm like a gardener for the whole prairie! I felt so proud on May 9th, 2016, because something wonderful happened. I was named the National Mammal of the United States! This special title shows everyone that we are strong and important, and I am so happy to be a symbol of the wild spirit of America.