Bison Bison

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During the Pleistocene, we had a species of bison called bison antiquus. Their behavior might have been somewhat different than bison are today. But over probably once the glaciers retreated between about 10 and 7, 8, 9 or 7 to 5, 6,000 years ago, they went through this diminution. They became smaller in size and became what we know as the modern bison bison.

Bison bison! Not just something to holler into the sky, but also the scientific name for North America's majestic wild bovines that once roamed the plains in the tens of millions. What's up with their humps? On what occasion do they wear capes? What noises do they make? How many are out there? What are the best ways to help them? In this special episode, you get 4x the usual number of ologists as we talk to archeologist Dr. Ken Cannon, wildlife biologist Dr. Dan McNulty, Alie's cousin Boyd and his wife Lila Evans, of the Blackfeet Tribe, who are bison ranchers based in Northern Montana. Also, once and for all: is it buffalo or bison? And can Alie hug one?

A donation went to: InterTribal Bison Council (ITBC)

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Sound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray Morris

Theme song by Nick Thorburn