Give the bison its due

The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.: A “national mammal” for the United States? We like the idea, and if some lawmakers from western states get their way, the American bison could someday be an animal of official historical note, duly recognized by the government of this country.

The National Bison Legacy Act was introduced in the Senate and is backed by lawmakers from South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, North Dakota and, oddly, Rhode Island.

S.D. Sen. Tim Johnson is one of the bill’s chief sponsors.

According to a report by The Associated Press, the measure is mostly symbolic and wouldn’t mean much would change for the shaggy old buffalo. That means no added protections, and also no leapfrogging past the bald eagle in terms of national significance.

However, the legacy act would give the buffalo some added recognition as a national symbol. The idea is to give the bison its due.