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Home on the Range
Thundering herds of bison once common to much of the West were never a part of Arizona's natural history. But in 1905, a rancher by the name of "Buffalo Jones" Brought about 30 of the magnificent beasts to the Kaibab Plateau in an unsuccessful attempt to create a cross-bred range stock known as "cattalo." Over several years, he brought in more bison, but gave up his plans when they refused to stay where he put them. Jones shipped most of the herd to New Mexico, but stragglers eventually were purchased by the State of Arizona. The descendants of these bison can still be seen at House Rock Valley Wildlife Area off Highway 89A.
Keeping Arizona Wild
Arizona's native animals are adapted for life in wide open spaces. But human activities related to the country's western expansion encroached on wildlife habitat and caused stress on native animals. Bighorn sheep were virtually wiped out of northern Arizona and pronghorn antelope have been disappearing from much of their former range throughout the state. Successful reintroduction and management of both of these wildlife species by the Arizona Game and Fish Department is helping restore wildlife diversity and keeping Arizona wild. |