The bison —sometimes referred to as a buffalo—is a living symbol of the American West. Despite once roaming the plains in numbers greater than 30 million, this iconic animal has recently come dangerously close to extinction. By 1900, extensive hunting and fur trading had reduced their population to less than one thousand. Although much progress has been made over the past century, conservationists are still working diligently to bring back the magnificent beast of the plains In this short film by Josh Chertoff and Alfredo Alcántara , saddle up with a Colorado rancher who's risking everything to preserve the endangered species. Equal parts environmentalist and cowboy, Duke Phillips is not your average conservationist. Join him and his crew of horsemen on a thrilling ride as they herd thousands of wild bison for their unique conservation initiative.Produced by Bows & Arrows, Ponderosa Productions, and Ranchlands.Learn more at ranchlandsreview.com The Short Film Showcase spotlights exceptional short videos created by filmmakers from around the web and selected by National Geographic editors. We look for work that affirms National Geographic's belief in the power of science, exploration, and storytelling to change the world. The filmmakers created the content presented, and the opinions expressed are their own, not those of National Geographic Partners.See more from National Geographic's Short Film Showcase at documentary.com #shortfilmshowcase @natgeo