Cowfalo: noun \ˈkau̇-fə-ˌlō\ 1. A ruminant mammal of the Bovinae subfamily often seen in the distant grasslands of the Great Plains possibly inhabited by buffalo. Cowfalos unvaryingly reveal themselves upon closer inspection to be merely cows.
Millions of buffalo once grazed across the Great Plains. Hunted to near extinction in the 1800s, only a few survived in Yellowstone National Park. Over one hundred years ago, conservationists began to reintroduce buffalo into their native lands. Supposedly, several parks in South Dakota, including Wind Cave National Park, Badlands National Park, and Custer State Park, benefited from reintroduction and have thriving herds of buffalo within their borders. At this time, we are unable to provide confirmation of that claim.
Standing high atop a spire in the Badlands and looking across the vast prairie, we spot several herds of large animals dotting the landscape. Are they buffalo or just cows? For now, they are cowfalos. But our subsequent drive through that same prairie confirms our fear, just cows. I offer a bounty for the first buffalo sighting so that eyes remain peeled. I extend the bounty to include bison, all to no avail.
A similar scenario plays out countless times as we travel through the south section of Badlands National Park and through the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands on our way to Rapid City. I suspect the National Grassland is so named because a gap in buffalo exists in this region of South Dakota.
We have high hopes that our buffalo quest will end at Wind Cave National Park. “There’s a buffalo!,” I shout as we drive to the Visitor Center. The animal stands alone, a silhouette on the prairie under the morning sun. Hesitant confirmation comes from the passenger seat. Shouts of “where, where” rise from the backseat. And in an instant, the figure disappears behind a grassy knoll never to be seen again. I am initially confident in my identification, but as time passes with no additional buffalo sightings, I begin to question myself and can now confidently proclaim only that it was a cowfalo with strong buffalo tendencies.
Perhaps our buffalo quest will end at Custer State Park. If not there, perhaps on the open range of Montana. And, if not there, surely at Yellowstone National Park. We will not be denied.
I’m so glad that you’ve made it to SD… I really enjoyed Mount Rushmore (during the day, and the dusk show) and Custer State Park. Please tell me you’ll make it on the Wildlife Loop Road to feed the wild donkeys–they love Nutragrain bars. You might also finally see that buffalo! Also, try to make it up to Devil’s Tower; the view of it looming in the distance as you approach from the south is really something. Keep having a great time!
Hi Robert, good to hear from you. I’ll get a post up soon about Custer and Devils Tower, but you are so right.
In Yellow Stone a few years ago, we had a 15 minute delay waiting on a “Heard” of Buffalo to get out of the road.
Enjoying reading your adventures.
Thanks, Darrell, good to have you on board.
It’s a scam. Buffalo went extinct years ago. They only propagate the myth to drive tourists there. Really. I read it online.