Under Renovation

The American Bisons were once free to roam all of California. Now, they are confined to a smaller space within the Golden Gate Park while awaiting a new home. According to the SF Gate, 1.2 million dollars worth of work is being placed into the old grounds of these mild mannered creatures. A new fence, an increased area from 7 to 12 acres, more shade, and new electricity and plumbing will accompany the Buffalo in their newly polished paddock.

Shortly after visiting the Bison, it brought me to great sadness to see such beautiful art destroyed. These animals, six in number, were literally placed in one of the smallest area's of confinement. After surviving a long journey from Montana, which left two bulls and one heifer of the original five Bison in the herd; these animals need pastures of land not a renovated paddock. However, the park deserves an applause for its outstanding up keep of the Bison, but needless to say they are apart of the wild and should be treated that way.

Short History of Bison:
The current paddock was established on December 12, 1899, in Zeile Meadows, named after the Park Commissioner of that time Frederick W. Zeile, to separate the powerful bulls from the family unit. Visitors could easily see the animals in their home from the roads bordering enclosure. The meadow was in earlier times shared with elk, sheep, deer, and goats. A tradition in the early years was to name the animals after shakespeare characters or famous people, but when then-Mayor Dianne Feinstein and her husband donated a new herd in 1984, the animals were given Native American names.

The natural habitats of these animals should be left alone. Visitors are a nasty part of living in a big city, but the Bison do not need a new home.