Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
broke off the engagement and sought a way out of the arena. At no time did Pierre make the slightest
move to follow up his advantage. Like Ferdinand the Bull, he just wanted to be left in peace.
Two more fighting bulls were released in succession, with results virtually identical to those of the
first encounter. When a fourth bull was brought on, however, Pierre finally became irritated; when the
bull charged, Pierre responded by returning the charge. They met full-tilt in the middle of the ring with
a horrendous crash, and the result was astounding. The Mexican bull shot backward as if it had been
fired from a cannon, and landed in a heap. When it arose, it wanted no more of such a fearsome ad-
versary and tried to get out of the ring as expeditiously as possible.
Although this contest was not perhaps the most politically correct mode of determining the relative
strength of domestic bull and bison, it certainly provided a convincing demonstration of the latter's
awesome power and toughness. Figuratively speaking, Pierre had defeated all comers with one hoof
tied behind his back!
In keeping with their great size and strength, bison are long-lived. An average life span is twenty-
five years, and cows can live to forty or more. Heifers sometimes breed when a year old, but most reach
breeding age at two. Following a nine-month gestation, the cow usually gives birth to a single calf,
though she may rarely have twins. As part of the bison's astonishing capacity for survival, a cow can
successfully give birth to a calf and raise it in the midst of a raging, late-season blizzard. As might be
expected of a grazing animal keeping pace with a constantly moving herd, the calves are quickly on
their feet and able to follow their mothers.
There are many references to “buffalo wallows” in literature and historical accounts. Bison have
short tails that aren't effective in keeping flies and other insects away from their heads and front quar-
ters, so they enjoy rolling in dust or mud wallows. The latter, no doubt, also help to cool the bison in
hot weather.
The bison's future is bright for a variety of reasons. Once raised mainly as a curiosity and a means
of preserving the species, the bison is increasingly in demand as a meat animal. Bison meat is tender,
flavorful, extremely nutritious, and very low in cholesterol. Consequently, more and more restaurants,
specialty markets, and individuals are purchasing bison meat at a premium price.
Moreover, an increasing number of people are considering the substitution of bison for cattle on mar-
ginal rangelands. Some are private ranchers who see bison as a moneymaking alternative to cattle under
harsh conditions. Others—private conservation organizations such as the Nature Conservancy and the
Land Institute, or conservation-minded individuals like Ted Turner—seek to preserve and restore prair-
ie ecosystems by restoring their vital natural component, the bison.
Beyond that, major national organizations, including the National Wildlife Federation, the National
Audubon Society, and the Sierra Club, are promoting ways to protect and restore prairie lands, in part
by restoring bison to some of their old haunts. There is also the 2,400-member National Bison As-
sociation, formed for the preservation, production, and marketing of bison, as well as the Wild Bison
Foundation, dedicated to preserving our remaining free-roaming herds of bison.
