Essay On Theodore Roosevelt National Park

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In Theodore Roosevelt National Park, there are many kinds of animals. One well-known mammal in the park is the buffalo. It is estimated that there were 60 million bison that once roamed the Great Plains, until European hunters and traders heavily affected their population size. Theodore Roosevelt was one of the few who saw this growing problem. Finally in 1894, congress passed a law that prohibited people from hunting bison. As punishment, hunters that killed the bison were either charged a $1,000 fine or a sentence to prison. The buffalo population improved greatly. As of today, there are more than 500,000 bison that roam in North America. Theodore Roosevelt National Park officials have set a herd size to both units in the park, to prevent overgrazing and keep the …show more content…

Although there are many bison to view at the park, it is highly suggested to watch them with precaution. Weighing in at 2,000 pounds and at least 6 foot at the shoulders, a full-grown bull is very dangerous to approach. The full-grown female is 1,100 pounds and reaches 4 foot 1 inches to 5 feet tall at the shoulders. Bison have massive heads with horns (the bull’s, though, is wider and larger than the cow), and is heavily covered with thick, curly hair. A well-known characteristic of the bison is that they have a hump on the top half of their body, making their hips look smaller in comparison; also making their back look slanted. Their diet is mainly plants, making them herbivores. Since they are herbivores, their natural predators are the grizzly bears and wolves; but both predators have been taken out of Theodore Roosevelt National Park long ago (to keep the bison population safe). If the beast is provoked, they can charge at you from up to 35 miles per hour and can whirl around faster than a horse. It is no wonder why bison are sometimes described as the most ferocious animal in North

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