The National Mammal of the United States Resides in Fort Worth

At one time roaming the plains in the millions and making their way through North Texas, Bison were hunted to the brink of extinction within a matter of years after European settlers made their way to North America. Their six-digit figures dropped to only 1,000 by 1889, and although they have recovered to sum total of approximately 500,000 now, there aren’t that many places that one can go to see the American Bison.

Joining the bald eagle as an American symbol, the bison was named the national mammal of the United States through the National Bison Legacy Act in 2016. Very few of them remain wild, and the majority now are part of private herds, which includes one at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. Situated near Lake Worth, the Nature Center’s herd is its signature attraction according to a Star-Telegram interview with Rob Denkhaus, Natural Resource Manager. The refuge consists of 3,621 acres, dating back to 1964 and sits along the banks of the West Fork of the Trinity River. With a mixture of forests and wetlands, and 20 miles of walking trails, there’s plenty to draw attention to it, yet the bison remain its top bill.

“If you were to ask an average visitor what’s their first thought when they think of this place, they would probably say bison. We’ve had them from as close as 5 miles to as far away as 5,000 miles come here. They just can’t get enough. I think my favorite was when we had a family from Russia that was in town and drove out here to see the bison,” said Denkhaus. Beginning with a donation of three bisons from the Oklahoma’s Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in 1973, the herd has continued to grow and change since its first calf was born in 1974. The size has varied, numbering in the 30s at one point, and the refuge will occasionally sell some of them in efforts to keep the herd manageable within their 210-acre range. To Denkhaus and the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, the designation of the bison as the national mammal was well-deserved recognition. To the many visitors that travel thousands of miles to gaze upon them, it’s inspiring. Visit the Nature Center’s website for more information regards operation hours and perhaps plan a visit to see the first national mammal of the United States in person.

Source:

Star-Telegram