Millions in Awe as Man Expertly Rides Pet Buffalo Across Open Field

Millions are in awe of a video showing a man expertly riding a buffalo through the countryside.

Wyatt Mortenson went viral on Instagram in September as he shared a clip to his account, aptly named @thebuffalorider, of himself atop the giant beast, rushing through a wide-open field, set to the sound of Eddy Grant's Electric Avenue.

The short clip shows him riding with his arms in the air, as the animal canters across the plains, like something straight out of a Wild West movie.

Which, Mortenson told Newsweek, is exactly what it was.

"I've been cowboying and training horses my whole life," he explained. "I'm currently working in the film industry as an actor, wrangler, and stuntman."

He rescued the buffalo, Clyde, at just two weeks old, eight years ago, and since then the animal has appeared in multiple movies and TV shows, including Yellowstone and Disney productions.

"Clyde is halter broke and lets me ride him," said Mortenson, from New Mexico.

But this wasn't immediately apparent to the enormous number of viewers who found Mortenson's video, many assuming he had just hopped up on a wild buffalo.

Wyatt Mortenson recorded himself rising his buffalo, Clyde, through an open field. The incredible clip captured millions of viewers. Wyatt Mortenson recorded himself rising his buffalo, Clyde, through an open field. The incredible clip captured millions of viewers. Instagram @thebuffalorider

Shared on September 2 and boasting an incredible 2.2 million views, one commenter wrote that they couldn't believe "someone actually managed to do this after all these years."

"I've never had more respect for someone," another wrote, while one joked Mortenson had "hit level 50 legend on [video game] Red Dead [Redemption]".

Some even wondered if the clip was made with Artificial Intelligence (AI), while one wrote: "This gotta be a fever dream."

Mortenson, who has worked on multiple shows including the upcoming series American Primeval and movie The Comeback Trail (2020), said he has "had so many opportunities to do so much fun and exciting things with Clyde, and we have a lot of entertaining videos to share."

"When I first posted that video of me riding Clyde, I never thought it would get such a positive response."

Mortenson and Clyde have worked on major projects together. He rescued the animal at just two weeks old. Mortenson and Clyde have worked on major projects together. He rescued the animal at just two weeks old. Instagram @thebuffalorider

Buffalo, also known as American bison, are the largest terrestrial animal found in North America, and can stand up to six feet tall and weigh over a ton, according to the National Wildlife Federation.

Once widespread, there are now estimated to be only around 31,000 wild buffalo in North America, and found only in national parks and reserves, including Yellowstone National Park.

Mortenson said he is very grateful to be able to share Clyde with the rest of the world," and assured anyone wanting to see more of the buffalo that he will "continue posting Clyde on my Instagram."

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