Bison - A Rare and Precious Animal

American Bison

In the year 1800, 35 million buffalo roamed across the Great Plains of America. After nearly a century of senseless slaughter, only 700 of these majestic creatures remained. With the disastrous consequences becoming obvious, the beleaguered survivors were rounded up and placed, mercifully, within the protective confines of the world's first national park, Yellowstone.

At about the same time, Denver was building a series of mountain parks to offer citizens an escape from urban stress. In 1914, the city purchased two bulls and five cows from that extraordinary Wyoming herd and introduced them to the newly created Genesee Park located in the foothills just west of town.

Featured at the mountain park today are about 60 purebred descendants of those original seven. I shot this photograph of one of the Genesee Bison this past winter. It's inspiring to be able to observe, so close to home, such a rare and precious animal.

Comments

  1. SandyApril 2, 2013 at 9:31 AM

    Awesome picture! Years back we camped and hiked at Yellowstone, Tetons,and many other parks there in the west. I was thrilled everytime I got to see one of these magnificent creatures.

    We have some here in Ohio now too.

    A-Z

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 2, 2013 at 7:23 PM

      Thanks,

      We've been to Yellowstone also, it's a perfect place to view Bison in the wild. We don't have that kind of a setting here but it's a nice touch to have them so close by.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousApril 2, 2013 at 12:08 PM

    Wow, how close did you get to take this photo?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 2, 2013 at 7:28 PM

      I got close but still on the other side of the fence. Genesee Park is a great place to observe them because it offers very close but safe access.

      Delete
  3. judi April 2, 2013 at 1:42 PM

    Another great photo Dan - wouldn't want to be that close, his horn looks pretty sharp!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 2, 2013 at 7:34 PM

      Thanks,

      I know those animals are very fast and they could inflict some serious damage. I got close but I was on the other side of a fence. This herd is rare because they've never been crossed with cattle like many of the commercial ranches. These guys are all purebreds so they have the big, classic humps. Very beautiful to watch them roaming around in the mountains.

      Delete
  4. SpartapoetApril 2, 2013 at 9:35 PM

    Awesome photo dear Dan!!!! What beautiful creatures these Bisons!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 3, 2013 at 11:10 AM

      Thanks Sal,

      They are beautiful, we're lucky to live so close to this special herd.

      Delete

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