Wood Bison in Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta, Canada
Picture credit: Laura Kaupas.
As you may have noticed, there has been a two month gap in postings here.
The reason is that my heart has been broken over the imminent approval of Hunting our beautiful Florida Black Bear.
The final, fateful decision is expected in a very short time.
But this morning, a story on our news, brought for the first time in over two months, a reason to smile and cause for joy.
Another creature which has occupied a huge place in my heart for over 30 years, has just been given a new lease on life.
The Wild Wood Bison, which has been gone here in America, for over one hundred years, is being brought back to Alaska.
The differences between them and our American Bison are in the links below.
This reintroduction of the Wild Wood Bison, is courtesy of the people of Canada, who did not completely decimate theirs, as we did.
This cooperation between our two countries, is but one more example of the good that Humans can do for wild animals, when they chose to do so.
By appearances, it would seem that the people of Canada care and respect their wildlife more than we do here.
An example, the history of our concern for our most “at risk” wild things in this country, has been, far too often at best, woefully neglectful.
Ask any resident of California, when they last saw a wild animal, no, not a deer, or a raccoon, but a true large wild animal.
They have been hunted, killed and chased out of not only California, but many, if not most, of the other lower 48 states for over a Century.
The joyful news today about the Wood Bison, is bittersweet, as we who live here in Florida await the final decision to come for our magnificent Florida Black Bear.
Once this is done and they kill or hunt too many of them, it will be too late to say, sorry!
Like the stunning, Ivory Billed Woodpecker that once ranged freely all over the South East, and have now been hunted to extinction to adorn a ladies’ hat, come Fall, will our Black Bears also be no more?
Perhaps, we could learn a bit about wildlife compassion from our neighbors to the North?
There was one reference story of a Wildlife Park in Canada, where the Wood Bison and the Black Bear live together in apparent harmony.
Are you listening in Tallahassee?
There just may be a connection between the Black Bear and the Wood Bison.
Places to learn more:
Alaska wood bison being held at village to be released soon
Wood bison leave Portage for release in Alaska wild after an absence of more than 100 years
Phenotypic Differences Between the Bison Subspecies
Walking with the Alligators 
Reblogged this on sachemspeaks.
Thank you for sharing their story~
What a pleasure to hear you again, and with good news! What a nice photo you shared, but terrible news about the Black Bear, all because of humans invading the planet, and invading Florida for that matter…
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts.
I truly believe that our cold indifference towards those who cannot speak will ultimately be our undoing as a species.
Very good news indeed! Let’s hope Florida will come to its senses.
There is so much against them, how can they possibly win?
Not sure how we can change attitudes in Florida.
This is good news! And it is good to have you back. This is a glimmer of hope, though, but as long as the love of money rules the world, I have little hope for creatures like bears, bison, elephants, the big cats and so on. But for now… ❤
Thank you so much.
Florida has become an ugly place for animals.
Too many care little or nothing for wildlife, as they stand in the way of big business here.
Good to have you back with your worthwhile postings – Thank You
Best Wishes
john
Thank you John.
It has become extremely difficult to write with these threats looming over the heads of those I care so much for.
As I already told you on my blog, I’m so happy you’re back, and so happy to have someone like you taking actions to protect nature, thank you Donna. I really don’t know what we could do to change the whole human attitude towards animals, to make them understand what is really important, and that we, humans, on the whole, are not necessarily superior to wild animals.
Thank you Dear Ronald.
I am but one.
There are so many who think differently where animals are concerned here.
How wonderful to see you back, Donna, and with a story about one of my favorite creatures. [oh, who am I kidding – I love them all.] No joking – welcome back!!
Thank you for caring.
They need so many more just like you and all those who have commented on this page….
Treating people as they treat me is how I was brought up and you are a very caring person.
Thank you.
My grandmother was my greatest influence growing up.
She was amazing.
It’s good to have you back. Shocking that there is a likelihood of hunting black bears, I can understand your sadness over this, it can all get just so depressing and heartbreaking. It feels like a never ending battle to save animals from the abuse and cruelty by human beings. I loathe hunting which should be banned worldwide, so barbaric and cruel. I cannot understand the mentality of such people. Pleased to hear the good news about Wood Bison.
Thank you so much.
You understand what is happening.
Now if only we could clone you!
God Bless.
That is good news about the Wood Bison – but a dreadful sadness about the impending decision on your beloved Black Bears. I am certain there could be a much better solution if only those with the power to choose would act in the interests of Florida’s natural world.
We are waiting and so afraid for what may come next week.
Hunting and murder will not change the situation in any way, but it can put the bears in grave danger of extinction once more.
This magnificent creature needs all of the love and support we can give it right now.
It is so, so sad but I will continue to hope for now.
Sure wish you were here. We could really use your strong heart right now!
Thank you Donna.
Thank you for being here and caring……
I did not know there are bears in Florida anymore.
They are everywhere.
I think there are only a few dozen panthers.