Save the Buffalo movement
 

It appears that a fairly significant reaction to the loss of our buffalo is taking place. There has been significant activity around a very nice lady getting petitions signed at the buffalo preserve on Buena Vista. Many Villagers have asked her for blank petitions to take back to there neighborhoods. Several commercial establishments in Lake Sumter have offered to help with the petition drive. My wife and I spent some time with her twice today and virtually every cart that passed stopped, chatted, echoed support and signed.

I have received emails from neighbors that are looking for a way to show organized objection to the proposed removal of the buffalo. They are also offering to work for the cause. It was a hot topic at Toojays and buzz around the square.

I don't know how successful any effort will be but my guess is there is about to be a ground swell of publicity on the issue. Look for letters to the editor if they do not meet an unceremonious demise on the editor's desk. I know of several that are in transit.

Anybody have any major media connections? Sounds like the type of story that could capture national attention. Not sure which way it would spin for the developer. Any thoughts?

4 the buffalo

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Cabo, I do have a suggestion. If you or someone would write a Press Release, I have software that can get it to all the major wire services and we can see if any picks it up. I think they will. I've used this software before with great results. Let me know what you think. ;)

p.s. We should have a contact person and a name for the movement. Anyone have any name suggestions?

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

I have a suggestion for naming "the movement"..... SAVE OUR BUFFALO

So no one gets confused on what the intended meaning is of "SOB" ... for literature letterhead, you can create a picture of residents sobbing at the thought of losing their dear buffalo.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Love it!!! :bigthumbsup:

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

My guess is that there have been serious enough problems with the Buffalo that the decision was not easily made and will not be reversed. Actually, the problem is not the Buffalo, it is the people who think they are family pets.

People stick their fingers (or their grandchildren's fingers) in the Buffalo's mouth, are bitten, then sue the developer. They reported that there have been 3 recent litigations. I know there have been many more than that over the years.

IF YOU WERE THE DEVELOPER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? WOULD YOU REVERSE THE DECISION?

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

If I were the developer, I would look for a workable compromise. Leave one smaller group of buffalo near a people place (e.g. part of the pen near Lake Sumter) and erect the double fence to keep the stupid humans from hurting themselves.

Win-win....minimizes potential harm/lawsuits and still provides a central location where residents and their guests can enjoy this unique feature of The Villages. The rest of the herd can be relocated to a remote, safe place. The developer wins some goodwill points from the residents and we still get to look at "our" Buffalo.

I, too, met the lady with the petition drive yesterday. She is ready and willing to raise funds to erect a second fence. Not that the Developer needs funds for this, but, certainly does demonstrate how this action has affected the community.

Chels...love your idea about a press release. Yes, this can stir up some media interest outside the local community. No one is blaming the developer for having to take some action. I just hate to see it be an all or none choice.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

I am with Talk Host on this one. Stupid people seem to be the problem here not the buffalo. Well I should qualify this with stupid people and their lawyers.

There's not much that the developers can do to keep visitors to the Villages as well as some Villagers from attempting to pet, feed, or otherwise play with the buffalo. They are an attractive nuisance http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attract...sance_doctrine to put it in legal jargon.

Attractive nuisance applies to children trespassers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trespasser but it looks like some states have law that brings adult trespassers into the doctrine too.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

I too would love to see the buffalo stay.
You will need double fences on all the pastures. Buffalo have to be rotated to allow the grass to grow. Correct me if I'm wrong. :dontknow:
After the guy got trampled, the sign went up saying "Survivors will be prosecuted".

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Maybe, the developer could create a small zoo with some of the buffalo so that Villagers can still go and see these critters???

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Anything we can do to keep the buffalo in view, I'm for. They are part of our Villages lifestyle.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Once I found the buffalo, I feel in love with them. I loved just sitting and watching them. I hated the idiots who fed them and tried to pet them. They destroyed something majestic for all of us.

I'd love the idea that we could save the buffalo but I think the reality is they're gone from our sight. Even with double fences the odds are some will go through the first set of fences to get to the buffalo. No matter what, they would be considered attractive nuisances and these idiots would win more of their lawsuits than they would lose.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

I have to agree that it will be difficult to get the developer to change his ruling about removing the buffalo.
That being said, and considering the buffalo's long history with TV, it is troublesome for me to just let their relocation occur. Therefore, I would prefer to try and work out a solution providing those of us with common sense to prevail over the :edit: humans who put themselves in harms way and then expect to be compensated for their idiocy.
My letter to the editor has been sent....it will be interesting to see if it is printed. I will sign any petition and I love Chels idea of a press release.
IMHO we owe it to ourselves to be involved in the decision to remove "our" buffalo.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

I'll happily work to save them but will expect it to be a losing effort (always did like losing causes for some strange reason).

Maybe an electrical fence might be an answer to keep people from climbing between the two fences?

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Redwitch.....
I guess my cup is half full, and yours is half empty. Together with some of the other interested villagers we will hopefully fill the cup. :) and drink to our success. :beer2:

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

My glass is always half full. I am optimistic our voices will be heard and our wishes fulfilled. Only time will tell. ;D

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

I love it too. Get's my vote.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

BOTH the double fence idea AND the press releases are GREAT ideas. I would also suggest calling all the TV channels...they should be eager for news other than murder, robbery, rape, in Orlando etc. I think they'd jump on this. I too don't want to see the buffalo removed because of a couple of STUPID humans...not to mention the attorneys and courts who let this CRAP into the legal system!!!!

Will the developer change his/her mind? I don't know...but if I were them, I'd give some serious thought to it. Who wants a bunch of "unhappy campers". The Buffalo are an integral part of The Villages and I want them to stay...but safely.

I'll do whatever I can to help.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

How about privacy fences rather than the fences they have around the various fields with the buffalo and then some observation stands so that people can see the buffalo from above the privacy fences??? http://www.askthebuilder.com/639_Privacy_Fence.shtml

That does not seem to be that costly and would take into account the need to move the buffalo from field to field??

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Re: Sorry To Be The Bearer Of Bad News

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Most of you are right it is SAD...but it's more than "SAD"... it's a major change to our surroundings and it's not fair that the majority is punished because of the stupidity of a few. It's just like everything else...the vocal minority win out over the majority because they dare to stand up and be heard...or in this case...were idiotic enough to climb over a fence!!! There's an old saying about things like this, "...when they came for the Jews I said and did nothing because I wasn't a Jew..." Remember this whole saying? What it boils down to is if YOU AND ME don't take a stand for what we want and what we believe then nothing will change and things will continue to be taken away from us...little by little by little until TV doesn't even resemble the reason we all moved here.

Yes, a "Park" would be nice...but NOT at the expense of losing the Buffalo grazing in their fields. Put the park somewhere else and BRING BACK THE BUFFALO. Put up a double fence, put up more warning signs (...course anyone stupid enough to climb over a fence into a buffalo herd probably can't read!!!) but PLEASE don't punish 69,997* of us because the other 3 are IDIOTS!!!!

*Based on recent statistics and for illustration purposes only!!!

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Re "Save Our Buffalo" ... Chels, this is a great, positive approach to the issue! :bigthumbsup: You are truly a creative thinker.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Any ideas on how to go about it? If I can send a press realease, I most certainly will. Is there a petition going around TV? If so, I'd be more than happy to sign it in large red letters. Yesterday I saw yet another group of people gawking. And as usual they were as close as the fence would allow. Do these people think since the buffalo are fenced in that they must be tame animals? I might begin to keep my camera/cell phone with me. That way when they get hurt & sue TV the judge will throw them out on their carc-ass-es.

The Sacred Buffalo is no more
 

The Great Spirit gave to our people the blessing of brother Buffalo. We lived for generations in harmony with the great herds, often more of these beautiful creatures than a public school educated person could count. When your ancestors first came to this great land of The Villages, these noble creatures were everywhere. It would take explorers a full day to ride around the massive herds, even in the most souped up golf cart. The Great White Father Schwartz promised that brother Buffalo would continue to inhabit this land in harmony with our people as well as with the pale skinned retirees. All would live in peace and tranquility as long as the grasses grew green, the waters flowed free, and the sky was blue.

But the dreaded iron horses, many from such places as Germany, Japan, and Korea as well as Detroit, continued to bring more and more of the pale skinned retirees and they rapidly overran the lands. The sacred Snow Birds, long honored in our native culture as the bringers of winter loot, were replaced by the more voracious Frogs who pledged to stay until they croaked. Soon the waters were tainted, especially those used for irrigation, and the grasses turned brown. The skies were filled with low flying private airplanes that are a threat to everyone --- there aught to be a law --- and wild pagan killer kites from the Orient. Brother Eagle lost his home to an evil wind caused equally by global warming and some paper from Kyoto and he left the area without protection. Soon there was a threat of being engulfed by the most feared demons of the evil one, a curse worse even than brother Coyote, the Trial Lawyers.

Now there is no choice. The last vestige of our great culture must leave. The great Buffalo is no more.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

ROTFLMAO!!!! You are too much. I have been feeling down and you made me feel better--even just for a short time is good.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Oh Muncle, Truly a masterpiece, your thinking processes never cease to amaze me. :clap2:

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

There were people out at LSL tonight with petitions. Again, I want to state that if someone would write a press release (I would do it myself, but I don't know the history of them here.) I have the ability and software to get it to the wire services. Please come forward and let me know or at least pm me the history of the buffalo here and I'll write it. I think this is important. SAVE OUR BUFFALO. No guarantees it will work, but not to try is sad. Please feel free to pm me with the history. Thanks.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

If they had moved the Buffalo and not told anybody, it would have never been noticed.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Touch with your eyes but don't see with your hands

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Jan,

Sorry, but I strongly disagree with you on that observation. Perhaps up in the far NW corner where you are the Buffs aren't as noticeable, but everywhere south of 466 you pass by them everyday and they are a fixture here. I would have noticed their absence immediately and I'm sure many others would have too.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Maybe we could change the school mascot to a Rattle Snake and put them in the open fields - wonder how many people will be feeding them

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

If you really want the buffalo to stay, you may start with a petition.
What you'll need is a solution. A real one!
No whining, unless you have some answers.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

I think a good and REAL is the double fence idea. It would seem that even the dumbest of people (and there seem to be at least three, but I've seen more) would know better then to climb or have they're grandkids climb a double fence. Sounds like a plan to me.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

I too like the double fence idea, you can see them but can't get close enough to get hurt. May need to put a (oh never mind).

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

I still think you'd need electrical fencing on the top of the outside fence to deter people. It is unpleasant but not dangerous. I've often used it with horse fencing.

When you approach a mother buff with a baby, she becomes upset and warns you away by grunting and pawing the ground. The kind of person who is stupid enough to reach through the fence to pat a baby, ignoring the mother buff's warnings, probably won't be deterred by a double fence.

Of course that type of person would probably sue for the emotional upset caused by brushing against an electrical fence. :dontknow:

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Sorry Jan, But I disagree. I always check to see where the buff's are, mostly because they rotate them from pasture to pasture. I think people were especially interested recently because of the birth of several calves. If they had just disappeared I believe a lot of us would have been immediately aware.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Since I left the Villages about 3 weeks ago this is the first I have heard of this.

I can't imagine The Villages without the Buffalo. It is one of the scenes that definitely drew us to the community.

If the developer is having trouble with lawsuits I wish we could relocate those residents that allow grandchildren to get that close. Obviously that can't be done so I hope a solution can be arrived at to resolve this. We have to live with these type of people every day unfortunately.

If the Buffalo are removed what will we get in those places..a Costco Store etc. ugh. Is that behind this decision?

Reasonable people can usually solve a problem like this. Save Our Buffalo.

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Wow, Jan, I'm amazed that you think we wouldn't have noticed if the buffs disappeared. :dontknow: I'll bet that 70% of Villagers look for the buffs, enjoy the ambience of the buffs, and would absolutely notice if they disappeared!

And with the new babies, as Beady pointed out, people are especially interested. The baby buffs are adorable. lovehorse

(BTW, I know the love horse isn't a baby buff.)

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Hi, perhaps we need the security system that they use around jails in our area. This type of fencing keeps the people away from the jails, no one has ever been seen offering any of the prisoners carrots - so I guess this fencing works. ;) And most important the prisoners stay on their side of the fence and all others do not even get close to the fence.

I look forward to seeing the buffs. Did anyone take pics of the babies and if so can you please post them?

Thanks

HB

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/winking.gif..I would be very happy to bring my two horses; Rusty>>> http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/vithest1.gif& Lucky >>>http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/brunhest1.gifthere for the peeps to pet, and feed..

They are harmless and it would give me a good excuse to stay in TV full time...http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/winking.gif

Re: Save the Buffalo movement
 

Any one want to open a small petting zoo with me... http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/dog.gifI think that is a great idea and the people would love it.. :bigthumbsup: