CultureBuffalo puppets the size of real animals appear in Times Square

Two life-size buffalo puppets appeared in New York’s Times Square on September 15. Manipulated from inside by puppeteers to mimic breathing, they previewed the public art project “The Return of the Buffalo: Tatanka Owe Akupi,” created by Amir Nizar Zuabi with Lenape and Lakota elders. Puppet artistic director Craig Leo said the buffalo’s return symbolizes rebirth for the Lakota.