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Ken Burns turns his camera on the besieged American buffalo

Ken Burns turns his camera on the besieged American buffalo


Ken Burns says he has thought about the American buffalo his whole life: “It may be the most important mammal in American history. He explains that this “magnificent” but beleaguered animal, which roamed the Great Plains by the tens of millions less than 200 years ago, has often stalked the background of his films – figuratively and literally – over the course of his career as an Americana documentarian. “The buffalo intersects with all these interesting parts of American history,” he says, which is why he’s been planning a project on its fate for nearly 40 years. But he’s glad he waited. Time, he says, has helped him better understand the nuances of what he calls an “epic American calamity.”

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Eleon

With a penchant for words, Eleon Smith began writing at an early age. As editor-in-chief of his high school newspaper, he honed his skills telling impactful stories. Smith went on to study journalism at Columbia University, where he graduated top of his class. After interning at the New York Times, Smith landed a role as a news writer. Over the past decade, he has covered major events like presidential elections and natural disasters. His ability to craft compelling narratives that capture the human experience has earned him acclaim. Though writing is his passion, Eleon also enjoys hiking, cooking and reading historical fiction in his free time. With an eye for detail and knack for storytelling, he continues making his mark at the forefront of journalism.
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