The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-16
A BUFFALO PRESERVE
IS BEING PLANNED

The offer made by the New York 20
illogical society to the United states
government regarding the placing of a
nerd or bunaloes on the Witcita Forest
reservation In Southwestern oklahoma
mas been accepted by the government.
and the conditions named by the So
clety VIII be promptly met
II VIII be remembered that as an evil
dence OF this desire 10 aid the govern
ment I'm taking slept TO preserve per
manently the American bison from fnal
extinction, tho geological society Offer
ed 10 the government, as a gift a herd
or between fifteen and twenty buffaloes
providing the government would fence
IN suitable range on the wichita
forest and Game Reserve, wherein the
herd could be maintained without the
expense OF constant feeding This offer
was so favorably received by the de-
partment OF agriculture that the 20
ological society sent an agent TO the
wichita Forest Reserve To act in con-
junction with the forest supervisor in
charge OF the reservation in selecting
and recommending an area suitable TO
be fenced for buffaloes. The society's
agent. j. Alden Loring, acting in con-
junction and cooperation with Super
visor Morrissey, selected an area OF
about twelve square miles OF good
grazing grounds, provided with perma-
nent water and shelter from storms
Immediately upon the presentation of
this report the department OF agricul-
ture and Mr.. Madison Grant secured
an Insertion In the agricultural bill OF
an item appropriating $4,000 with
which 10 erect the fence necessary
for an inclosure for the maintenance
or the buffalo herd Inasmuch as the
agricultural bill is now a law, the fund
is available, and the department. OF
agriculture proposes 10 take immediate
steps TO secure the erection OF the
fences. AS soon as the fence has been
completed, the geological society will
deliver it's gift, a buffalo herd, in the
new buffalo range
The New York Geological society de-
sires IL TO be distinctly understood that
its gift OF a buffalo herd is prompted
solely by patriotic motives, and not be-
cause OF the fact--as has been erron-
eously alleged-that the buffaloes in
the geological park are not doing we'll
AS a meter of fact, no buffaloes I'm
captivity are in finer condition, or
breeding more -thaA-thuSe- in
Bronx Park. which is today the largest
and finest herd on public exhibition
anywhere.
1t is conceded, however. by the 20
illogical society. and by all competent
authorities, that the American bison
extinction and carried through several
centuries by breeding i'm the close con-
inement OF geological gardens and
parks. This noble animal can be saved
only by establishing herds on very
large areas, so that the animals will
be in a semi-vild condition and will
thereby obtain the exercise that is alb
solutely necessary to their permanent
welfare.
IT is hoped that the fencing Of the
Wichita buffalo range can be accom-
plished I'm time for the herd To be
transferred from the New York Zoolog-
ical park some time in October or
November Of the present year 1t
would. OF course, be inadvisahle for
the animals to be taken from sheltered
captivity and turned loose in wild
country in midwinter: nor would II he
possible to move the buffaloes Just
previous to calving time in the spring.
owing to the danger Of costly acci-
dents. 1t is hoped that the example OF
the government In establishing another
national buffalo herd will stimulate
other owners OF buffaloes to do like
Wise.-Shooting and Fishing IN. W