How the bison, once nearing extinction, lived to become America’s national mammal

North America used to be teeming with bison. But in one century, their numbers went from tens of millions to just a few dozen wild creatures left after hunters nearly wiped out the continent’s largest mammals.

Now the bison is about to become the first national mammal of the United States. The National Bison Legacy Act, which designates the bison as the official mammal of the United States, passed the House on Tuesday and is expected to get Senate approval this week.

Yes, at a time of political gridlock and partisan bickering, lawmakers agree on an official national mammal.

The bison, which will join the bald eagle as a national symbol, represents the country’s first successful foray into wildlife conservation. Lobbying for the official mammal designation was a coalition of conservationists, ranchers — for whom bison are business — and tribal groups, such as the InterTribal Buffalo Council, which wants to “restore bison to Indian nations in a manner that is compatible with their spiritual and cultural beliefs and practices.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2016/04/27/how-the-bison-once-nearing-extinction-lived-to-become-americas-national-mammal/?wpisrc=nl_rainbow