42 THE AMERICAN BISON IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. 



treat here, and he will only say that these creatures, if secured and transported 

 immediately from their native haunts, are most unlikely to live under the conditions 

 of civilization. They are, on the contrary, very likely to live and even to perpetu- 

 ate their species if taken with care and kept surrounded by the protection that 

 experience and common sense suggest; and both these mean the continuance of the 

 present National Zoological Park here under the eyes of Congress, but with a simul- 

 taneous provision for first bringing up the wild animals in a commodious place 

 of confinement in the country where they belong (one in Alaska for instance), 

 large enough to allow them to live without a sense of captivity, on their ordinary 

 food, and in their ordinary climate. This place might be a small ranch, where the 

 things of vital importance after their capture and security — namely, their being 

 "gentled" and accustomed to the sight of the keeper before being transferred to 

 Washington — can be carried out. Such a ranch can be established at a small cost, 

 which will not be likely to be exceeded, and Congress can be assured that it is not 

 entering into an indefinite future expense if this initial one be approved. 



BUFFALO IN CANADA AND COUNTRIES OUTSIDE NORTH 



AMERICA. 



Department of State, 



Washington, March 13, 1902. 

 Sir: Referring to your letter of February 1 last, requesting infor- 

 mation in regard to the American bison or buffalo in the Dominion of 

 Canada and the steps taken to preserve them, I have the honor to 

 inclose copy of a dispatch from the consul-general at Ottawa, trans- 

 mitting a communication on the subject from the Canadian department 

 of the interior. 



I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 



David J. Hill, Acting Secretary. 

 The Secretary of the Interior. 



Consulate-General of the United States, 



Ottawa, March 10, 1902. 

 Sir: I have the honor to report in reply to your dispatch No. 306, dated Washing- 

 ton, D. C. , February 7, 1902, requesting certain information called for by a Senate 

 resolution dated January 30, 1902, in regard to the buffalo in the Dominion of 

 Canada, that I have received a report from the acting deputy minister of the interior, 

 which I trust will give you the information sought. 

 I have the honor, etc. , 



Charles E. Turner, Consul- General. 



Hon. David J. Hill. 



Department of the Interior, Canada, 



Ottawa, March 5, 1902. 

 Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th ultimo, 

 and of its stated inclosures, and to give you, in compliance with your request, the 

 following information with regard to the subject thereof, namely, the steps which 

 have been taken by the Dominion Government for the preservation of the American 

 bison or buffalo. 



The attention of the Dominion government was called some years ago, by explorers 

 who had visited the northern portions of the district of Athabasca, to the existence 

 of a herd of wild buffalo, whose habitat is now known to be at some short distance 

 from Fort Smith, on the Slave Kiver. The animals were reported to be very fine 

 specimens of their kind and steps were at once taken by the Government to provide 

 effectual measures for the preservation of the herd. By special legislative enactments 

 a close season, during which the killing of these animals is absolutely prohibited, has 



