BISON  (CONT)

    "Those animals then could serve as the start of a wild, free-range population that could be reintroduced," he said.
    Other obvious obstacles to bison restoration include the agricultural land and urban development which has taken over much of the animal's old range and the highways that crisscross it.
    With America's human population officially hitting the 300 million mark this month, there is no longer room for 30 million bison.
    Like Viewing Cattle
    Viewing fenced-in bison today, like the seven in Chickasaw, is about as exciting as watching cattle. On a recent weekend a pair of sparring white-tail bucks clashing antlers offered far more entertainment.
    Still, WCS and other groups have hopes that more bison can enjoy some Yellowstone-style freedom.
    This would include fulfilling some of their old ecological roles, such as being prey for large carnivores like grizzly bears and providing carrion to scavengers like turkey vultures.
    Grazing bison also help to contain the damage caused by fires, because undisturbed grass burns easier and hotter, inflicting more harm on other plants and animals.
    Alaska, where wood bison were hunted out about a century ago, is one intriguing place where restoration may be feasible - though for reasons which may be not be good for other animals.

    "Alaska may have been marginal habitat for bison in the first place but climate change there may benefit them. It may be bad for polar bears there but good for bison," said Redford.

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