Free-roaming bison pass 1,000 on largest private US conservation…

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe largest private conservation project in the country, American Prairie, now has more than one thousand free-roaming bison, the first time in over twenty years.

2. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSenator Mortimer Vasquez-Lund joins us. Senator, congratulations?

3. SM

   Senator Mortimer Vasquez-LundThank you, Hank.

4. SM

   Senator Mortimer Vasquez-LundAs I said at the time, back in nineteen ninety, this herd was my vision, and today a thousand bison are simply my vision walking around.

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe project is a private nonprofit.

6. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt started more than twenty years ago, and as far as I can tell, your office isn't in the story.

7. SM

   Senator Mortimer Vasquez-LundMy office was in spirit. As I said at the time, I personally encouraged each of these bison to be born, and I'd do it again.

8. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorEach of them.

9. SM

   Senator Mortimer Vasquez-LundEvery last one, and as I said at the time, in twenty-thirty I called for a herd of exactly this size, waving this bronze bison letter opener for emphasis.

10. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt's twenty twenty-six, Senator, so that would be a prediction from the future. But let me ask you something simpler.

11. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorDid you vote to fund this project?

12. SM

    Senator Mortimer Vasquez-LundI voted for prairies in general, and the funding cuts were a clerical matter.

13. SM

    Senator Mortimer Vasquez-LundAs I said at the time, any bison missing from the count is the bison's fault.

14. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe herd is up, Senator, not missing.

15. SM

    Senator Mortimer Vasquez-LundThen it's up because of me. And I'd like the photograph with the herd, Hank. Where do I stand?

16. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorLast question. How many of these bison have you actually met?

17. SM

    Senator Mortimer Vasquez-LundOne, in a parking lot, and it was rude.

18. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA thousand bison and the only one you met was rude.