BonnerSprings.com

To the editor:

First, thank you for educating your viewers on the fact that this is the time of year when we celebrate Kansas Day with your “5 Questions” section on page 2 of the Jan. 28 edition. My concern though was that one of your facts was incorrect. The caption under the image of the bison called the mammal of Kansas a “buffalo,” when in fact the state mammal is a bison.

This is a very common mistake a lot of folks make regarding this large beautiful mammal. Chances are it earned its mistaken name from the large water buffalo, which resides in Africa — a totally different continent!

As a native Kansan science and environmental educator, especially one who teaches thousands of children a year about our wonderful state animals and plants, I just couldn't let this one slip! Thanks.

Jessica Lawrenz

Kansas City, Kan.

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