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The magnificent American buffalo was officailly recognized as the animal symbol of Kansas in 1955. A male bison can weigh over 1800 pounds and is 6 foot tall at the shoulder. The Buffalo is also featured on the U.S. Mint's bicentennial quarter for Kansas, the official state seal, and the state flag of Kansas. See another photo on the Oklahoma state animal page.
Buffalo once roamed the American prairie by the tens of millions and provided a way of life for the plains Indians. But European settlers hunted buffalo to the brink of extinction - it's estimated that between 300 - 500 animals remained when the federal government passed stricter game laws in 1889.
The buffalo is an inseparable part of American history; no other wild animal has played such a significant role in human affairs. The tribes of the American plains relied on bison for food, shelter, clothing, and as a powerful spiritual symbol.
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