Overview
The American Bison, or buffalo, was once considered the symbol of the United States. This compelling story tells how it reached the brink of extinction, and how it was saved.
Saving the Buffalo explores the astonishing fate of these huge animals. There is no simple answer to their near extinction. The interplay of natural forces and people, both Native Americans and settlers, played a critical role in the story of this American symbol.
Many thousands of buffalo roamed the Great Plains for centuries. The first Native Americans had more than 100 uses for the buffalo, but only killed as many as they needed.
Synopsis
Saving the Buffalo explores the astonishing fate of these huge animals. There is no simple answer to their near extinction. The interplay of natural forces and people, both Native Americans and settlers, played a critical role in the story of this American symbol.Many thousands of buffalo roamed the Great Plains for centuries. The first Native Americans had more than 100 uses for the buffalo, but only killed as many as they needed.
VOYA
Marrin traces the buffalo from its days as "Lord of the Plains" to its near extinction and recent resurgence. The book begins by describing the conditions to which the buffalo has adapted on the Great Plains, how the buffalo fits into the prairie ecosystem, and buffalo behavior. The presence of American Indians did not greatly affect the buffalo, living together in delicate balance. The Indians developed a sustainable relationship with the buffalo, including the animal in religious ceremonies and adapting hunting and storage techniques to feed the tribe throughout the harsh winters. Western Expansion upset that balance, and the buffalo became another resource to be exploited. The animal became nearly extinct and only the efforts of a few people (including President Theodore Roosevelt) saved it from total destruction. The book ends on a hopeful note as it shows that although the thundering herds of long ago are gone forever, the buffalo is in the midst of a successful return. Marrin puts together a very attractive book for upper elementary and middle school students. The text is well written, and the glossary defines many difficult words. The book is set up well for browsing, as it is liberally illustrated with maps and color pictures, which include both photographs and reproductions of classical artwork. An index and a further reading list make the book useful for research projects on American Indians, Western Expansion, and the buffalo itself.