* Habitat: Buffalo once roamed freely across the Great Plains of North America, from Canada to Mexico. They preferred open grasslands with access to water and shelter.
* Population: There were once an estimated 30 million buffalo in North America. They were a keystone species, meaning that they played a vital role in the ecosystem. They helped to control the growth of vegetation, spread seeds, and create wallows that provided water for other animals.
* Hunting: Buffalo were hunted by Native Americans for food, clothing, and shelter. However, the arrival of European settlers in the 19th century led to a dramatic decline in the buffalo population. Commercial hunting and government-sponsored extermination programs nearly wiped out the species.
Present
* Habitat: Today, there are only about 500,000 buffalo left in North America. They are mostly found on private ranches and in national parks.
* Population: The buffalo population has rebounded somewhat in recent years, but it is still a fraction of what it once was. This decline has had a ripple effect on the entire ecosystem.
* Hunting: Buffalo are still hunted today, but on a much smaller scale than in the past. Hunting is regulated by state and federal laws, and it is used as a management tool to control the population and prevent overgrazing.
Changes
The changes that buffalo have had to make from past to now are significant. They have lost their natural habitat, their population has been decimated, and they are now hunted on a much smaller scale. Despite these challenges, buffalo continue to thrive and play an important role in the North American ecosystem.