We have one cardinal rule on 99% Invisible: No cardinals. Meaning, we deal with the built world, not the natural world. So, when I read Jon Mooallem’s brilliant book, Wild Ones: A Sometimes Dismaying, Weirdly Reassuring Story About Looking at People Looking at Animals in America, I didn’t think we’d ever do an episode of 99%

I think this episode and book changed my life course many moons ago. I get tears every time I listen to the song. :) It’s the story how how the conservation movement got started in America. It’s a good listen and the book is a good, quick read.

Men standing with pile of buffalo skulls, Michigan Carbon Works, Rougeville MI, 1892. Photo from Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

https://brighterworld.mcmaster.ca/articles/historical-photo-of-mountain-of-bison-skulls-documents-animals-on-the-brink-of-extinction/