Home on the Range
Thundering herds of bison once common to much of the
West were never a part of Arizona's natural history.
But in 1905, a rancher by the name of "Buffalo
Jones" Brought about 30 of the magnificent
beasts to the Kaibab Plateau in an unsuccessful
attempt to create a cross-bred range stock
known as "cattalo." Over several years, he
brought in more bison, but gave up his plans
when they refused to stay where he put
them. Jones shipped most of the herd to
New Mexico, but stragglers eventually were
purchased by the State of Arizona. The
descendants of these bison can still be seen at
House Rock Valley Wildlife Area off Highway 89A.
Keeping Arizona Wild
Arizona's native animals are adapted for life in wide open spaces.
But human activities related to the country's western expansion
encroached on wildlife habitat and caused stress on native animals.
Bighorn sheep were virtually wiped out of northern Arizona and
pronghorn antelope have been disappearing from much of their
former range throughout the state. Successful reintroduction and
management of both of these wildlife species by the Arizona Gamge
and Fish Department is helping restore wildlife diversity and keeping
Arizona wild.
