Fooled by Nature - Bashing Bison

On Animal Planet's, "Fooled by Nature", rank and mating rights are established among bison bull through battle. The male bison uses his head as a battering ram to fight rival males.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• animal
• planet
• fooled
• by
• nature
• creature
• conflict

[dutchnativeprincess]

Love these amazing animals.. Bad that there so few of them.

[Dealz1988]

They are Powerful creatures that demand respect

[777Ghostdog]

press 4 over and over

[peaceandlove22999]

1:07 ow.. thats gotta hurt...thats gonna leave a mark too :-o

[peaceandlove22999]

How come right under the place where you write the comment theres is only replies?

[VriskaSerket]

@TheTradingOutpost True, but the dam also provided hydroelectric power and we are hardly the only creatures to block waterways. See beavers.

Likewise, some animals have been known to do nonsensical things, just that if they are too much so that they get in the way of survival it can end in their demise. One could also argue that tribes, villages, or nations building large monuments is similar to animals putting on displays to attract mates, encourage allies, and intimidate rivals.

[TheTradingOutpost]

@VriskaSerket I'm too lazy to review the comment thread here, so I can't remember exactly what's being discussed. Sorry if my response isn't totally relevant. I agree that humans are animals, and are part of the ecosystems they live in. That being said, unlike with many creatures, I don't feel that all of our actions make sense within our ecological niche. For example, Hoover Dam was built by humans, but was largely motivated by cultural imparativesas opposed to any survival needs.

[VriskaSerket]

@TheTradingOutpost

No offense, but I have always kind of hated this argument. Mostly because evolution, namely extinction, can be just as fast as anything humans can do. Volcanic eruptions and meteor impacts, and even trees (no kidding, see the late Devonian extinction) have wiped out more specie than humans could barring nuclear holocaust. Also, because it suggests human beings aren't animals and part of ecosystems too.

[sniper6081]

@TheTradingOutpost Okay. Sorry for being rude. Anyway, these other seem to being doing just fine. They look like bison, they eat like bison, and they live like bison. Nature doesn't seem to have a problem with these new guys. You really shouldn't stress out about it though. A species isn't really meant to be a permanent thing. They would've gone extinct at some point anyway. At least this way they'll continue to exist, maybe not without the influence of humans, but they're still there.

[TheTradingOutpost]

@sniper6081 No need to be rude. I didn't say anything to bruise anyone's ego. You're right. Evolution happens. I know. I also know that it happens slowly, and its a natural process that allows creatures to better operate in their ecological niches. Industry driven extinction of the last wild bison at a rapid pace, now orchestrated by NPS, USFS, and MT, is neither adaptive nor slow. Its not evolution. My point is that true bison have a role in the ecosystem, and we should value what's left.

[sniper6081]

@TheTradingOutpost If you're really worried about their genes then I don't think you understand science all too well. Their genes are changing all the time regardless of what we do. The next generation of bison will be genetically different than the last. It's called evolution. Even what we do doesn't affect their DNA structure that much. We only change a few genes amongst billions. They're still there regardless of what happens.

[TheTradingOutpost]

@sniper6081 I care, and I know a lot of other people that care! When the last herds are contaminated w cattle genes, extinction will be complete. Also, being able to go and see bison isn't really my prime motivator when it comes to preserving the species (although they are cool). The 19th century buffalo slaughter was a social, ecological, and economic injustice that has left the world with approx 3500 truly wild bison. That's not much, and they should be encouraged to reestablish their range.