When I was a young child growing up, I remember being scared that I’d never get the chance to see the incredible American bison in person — I knew they were nearly exterminated a full century before I was born, and I never thought they’d get the comeback they deserved.
If a video taken at Yellowstone National Park earlier this month is any sort of testament, however, I’ll have plenty of time to go visit the amazing animals, and you will too.
Soon-to-be viral videographer Brian Clark wasn’t looking to be making headlines New Year’s Day.
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Instead, he was just starting his new year off right, touring a portion of the beautiful Yellowstone National Park by snowmobile.
Clark ended up with much more than a snowmobile adventure before the day was out.
In the middle of his trip, he was forced to pull to the side of the path, thanks to an oncoming herd of buffalo.
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I counted at least 45 — possibly as many as 47, although I’m just eyeballing it, here — of the majestic animals pounding their way through the snow-covered trail.
Check it out here. And imagine yourself in a situation like this.
Would you take the trip to Yellowstone to have an encounter with these animals?
National Geographic these beasts can weigh anywhere from 930 to 2,200 pounds, and judging from the relative size when comparing some of these bison to the others, there had to be at least a few tipping the scales.
Over the decades since their near-annihilation, the American bison has really made a comeback, largely thanks to the efforts of conservationists and the God-given rugged design of these animals.
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In fact, according to The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the American bison is only listed as “near-threatened.” That’s only one category below “least concern,” the category meant to describe animals in no danger of extinction.
For those of you like me, those who love nature and want to experience things like what’s seen in the video above, rejoice.
The future’s looking bright.
H/T Wide Open Spaces
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