296: Darkness Over the Plain: The Bison in American History

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature,
there are over 28,000 threatened species in the world. But this
is hardly the first time our planet has faced the prospect of
mass extinction.





In the beginning of the 20th century, America’s flora and fauna
were seriously threatened by urban encroachment and over-hunting.
And one animal at the center of this struggle was the
bison. 





So in celebration of World Animal Day, Brian and Nathan explore
the history of bison in America. We’ll find out how the bison
went from an animal in excess to near extinction and we’ll learn
how Madison Grant’s work preserving the bison went hand and hand
with his theories on eugenics. Plus, we’ll hear from the Buffalo
Representative of the Eastern Shoshone about his efforts to
restore the buffalo.

Image: Buffalo at water circa 1904 by Denver Kendrick. Source:
Library of Congress

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