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See also: Passenger Pigeons.
BISON
The American Buffalo, or Bison is the state animal of Oklahoma.
Estimates on the number of bison that roamed the North American continent range from 30 million to over 60 million. Whichever estimate you accept, the fact is that when white civilization began to move west, bison slaughter followed. Some were killed for hides and food; many were killed just for the sport.
The railroads accelerated the slaughter, and it fit with U.S. government policy to kill off the bison, which were the mainstay of the plains Indians.
No bison, no Indians. No Indians, more room for white settlers.
By about 1890 there were only 500-900 bison left alive. Out of 30-60 million. Think about it.
Today there are an estimated 225,000 bison in managed herds. (2007)
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