AK: Palmer, where the bison roam

Earlier this month, President Obama signed into law the National Bison Legacy Act, making the American bison the nation’s official mammal. The unusual legislation has no other purpose than to make bison.. more commonly referred to as buffalo.. another national symbol. Surprisingly, Alaska has four small but thriving bison herds of its own, established years ago for now obscure reasons. Although the president’s endorsement does little more than highlight an American icon, it sparks ne