Rosemary's Sharebook 

Help Save 150 American Buffalo!

We’ve only got weeks to go, but we’ve done it before, and with your help,
we will do it again!

In 2003, In Defense of Animals (IDA) was contacted by Catalina Island citizens, concerned that 105 buffalo were being sent to auction. You responded to our appeal and, together, we saved and successfully relocated all 105 auction-bound buffalo from Catalina Island, off the coast of California, to protected Native American land in South Dakota. The dramatic rescue on barges across 23 miles of ocean, then 1,800 miles by highway to South Dakota garnered international media. You can view video of that rescue here.

That buffalo relocation was simply amazing. IDA members and staff who participated cried with joy and astonishment at the beauty and magnitude of what we accomplished. If you missed out on the opportunity to be a part of that effort, you now have another chance.

IDA now has the opportunity to rescue and relocate 150 more buffalo. We want these magnificent creatures to join their cousins living safely in Standing Rock, South Dakota!

But we need your help!
We need to raise $35,000 to get the job done. I am writing today to ask that you help make our dream a reality. Click here to donate.

Around the world, buffalo are considered the symbol of the American pioneering spirit. Our traditional songs glorify them and our folklore reveals their importance to the fabric of our nation. Can you imagine any telling of the American story not including buffalo?

But what are buffalo doing on a Pacific Ocean island anyway?

Fourteen buffalo were brought to Santa Catalina Island for a 1925 silent film, “The Vanishing American.” The buffalo population soon grew, and visitors to the island have been enchanted by their magnificence ever since.

The Catalina Island Conservancy was formed in 1975 to preserve the land, its native animals and plants. Because the buffalo are non-native to the island they have periodically been sent to auction on the mainland. But, thanks to caring members like you, IDA is changing that!

In 2003, when we successfully relocated 105 at-risk bison, that whole paradigm changed. Now that we’ve shown how they can be saved, they must be saved.

The buffalo we rescued in 2003 are doing amazingly well. They gain 150 pounds during the winter months and grow even thicker coats. They no longer climb mountains to graze for grass. Many great-great grandchildren have been born. Thanks to you, these very special animals have a safe home today. 

We are gearing up for our next amazing rescue a much larger group of buffalo this time. Will you be a part of it?

If you can help us fund the relocation of the buffalo from Catalina Island once again - on barges across 23 miles of ocean and then 1,800 by highway to South Dakota - IDA has a guarantee that the buffalo will be allowed to roam free and not be hunted or harmed in any way!

So please be as generous as you can, as quickly as you can. Then, when you see the heartwarming transport unfolding on television, you can say “I helped make that happen!”

For the buffalo, 

Elliot M. Katz, DVM
President, IDA

 In Defense of Animals, located in San Rafael, Calif., is an international animal protection organization with more than 85,000 members and supporters dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of animals by protecting their rights and welfare. IDA's efforts include educational events, cruelty investigations, boycotts, grassroots activism, and hands-on rescue through our sanctuaries in Mississippi, Mumbai, India, and Cameroon, Africa.