Dakota Thunder turns 65 years old

(Jamestown, ND) --  Dakota Thunder, the world's largest buffalo, is turning 65 years old this year.  

He was built in Jamestown in 1959, right around the time the interstate was being finished.  

The Jamestown Tourism Department says he brings in around 130-thousand visitors each year while boosting the economy.  

He was sculpted by Elmer Petersen and was painted by Denny & Sons out of Bismarck.  

Because of his age and the fact that he's made of cement, the tourism department is now working on having him refurbished.