How were bison saved from extinction?

Quck answer

At the end of the 19th century, bison populations in North America had plummeted to less than 1,000 due to overhunting and habitat loss. Conservation efforts, including the establishment of protected areas and reintroduction programs, have helped the bison population rebound to over 500,000 today. Bison are now recognized as a keystone species, playing an important role in maintaining grassland ecosystems. Continued conservation efforts are necessary to ensure the survival of this iconic animal.

Endangered Species

Bison were almost extinct by the late 19th century due to overhunting. The American landscape was once dominated by tens of millions of bison. Before the arrival of the colonizers, bison ranged across almost the entire United States, with a concentration in the Great Plains, from Canada to northern Mexico. Bison were a keystone species in the Plains, grazing on thousands of acres of virgin grasslands. Native American tribes hunted bison for food, clothing, shelter, tools, and more.

Two species of bison are native to North America: plains bison and wood bison. Bison are the largest land mammals in the United States, weighing almost a ton. Despite their size, bison can run at speeds up to 35 mph (56 kph). Their diet consists solely of grass, but they are crucial to the environment, affecting the well-being of many other species.

The arrival of the horse in the West in the 1700s triggered the bison’s decline in North America. The invention of the .50-caliber rifle and the use of horses led to the mass hunting of bison. The market for buffalo hide grew in the United States, Canada, and Europe, and efficient hunting methods and a growing demand led to the period known as “the Great Slaughter,” with hunters killing thousands of bison across the Great Plains. By 1890, the population had dwindled to just over 1,000.

Theodore Roosevelt, William Hornaday, and others founded the American Bison Society in 1905 to prevent their extinction. The Bronx Zoo, Yellowstone National Park, and the federal government also established bison preserves. However, these conservation efforts were not the driving force behind the bison population comeback.

Bison Population Growth

Lack of available land has been a major obstacle for bison conservation.
David McNew/Getty Images

Despite not being federally classified as an endangered species in the United States, private and public conservation efforts have gradually increased their numbers, with the greatest increase occurring in the last 40 years. However, the wild bison population in the U.S. today is less than one percent of what it was in pre-colonial times, with around 20,000 animals remaining. North America has only five free-ranging plains bison herds and eight wood bison herds, but it is not for lack of trying.

The preservation of bison began in 1907, when 15 of them were relocated to the Bronx Zoo in New York. At that time, Yellowstone National Park had only a few dozen bison on its land. Offspring from that original group would later be moved to protected areas in Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. In recent years, Native American tribes have also contributed to the repopulation efforts. The InterTribal Bison Cooperative was formed in 1990, and today it includes 57 member tribes that oversee 15,000 bison.

Several factors have inhibited the bison’s population growth, including the lack of space, as much of their native land has been developed. The diversity of the bison gene pool has also declined due to the small existing herds, which can increase the rate of health problems in a herd if inbreeding occurs. Brucellosis, a virus that causes female bison to abort their babies and reduces fertility and milk production, plagues wild bison, particularly those in Yellowstone National Park. Additionally, people can catch it from eating contaminated meat and develop prolonged flu-like symptoms. As a result of this virus and the animal’s unpredictable behavior, more than 3,700 bison that have wandered outside of Yellowstone in the past 20 years have been shot by state and federal wildlife officials.

Commercial breeding has had a greater impact on boosting bison numbers, and over 95% of bison are privately owned. Ranchers started buying more bison in the 1970s to build up a niche meat market. From a financial standpoint, investing in bison is a thrifty move for ranchers since the grass grazers don’t require costly feed, and their meat is low in fat and cholesterol. Thanks to the growing demand, there are around 400,000 commercial bison living in the United States today.

Although bison are commonly referred to as “buffalo,” they are biologically different. Buffalo are native to Africa and Asia, whereas bison are native to North America. Both are members of the Bovidae family.

To learn more about bison, check out HowStuffWorks articles on topics such as bison, buffalo, brucellosis, and more.

Additional Links

• AnimalPlanet.com
• American Bison Society
• USDA Bison Fact Sheet
• USDA: Brucellosis and Yellowstone Bison
• World Conservation Union Bison Specialist Group

Sources

• “About North American Bison.” World Conservation Union Bison Specialist Group. (September 17, 2008) http://www.notitia.com/bison/AboutBison.htm
• Allen, Leslie. “Back Home on the Range.” Smithsonian Magazine. February 2005. (September 17, 2008) http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/Back_Home_On_The_Range.html
• Cloud, John. “Why the Buffalo Roam.” TIME. March 15, 2007. (September 17, 2008). http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1599697,00.html
• “Focus on Bison.” Food Safety and Inspection Service. USDA. February 2003. (September 17, 2008) http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Factsheets/Bison_from_Farm_to_Table/index.asp
• Lott, Dale F. and Greene, Harry W. “American Bison: A Natural History.” University of California Press. 2003. (September 17, 2008) http://books.google.com/books?id=irVb_xAtWIwC
• Martin, Jeff. “Bison advocates go for space.” USA Today. August 21, 2008. (September 17, 2008) http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-08-21-buffalo_N.htm
• “Once more to roam.” The Economist. August 14, 2008. (September 17, 2008) http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11920881
• Sample, Michael S. “Bison: Symbol of the American West.” Globe Pequot. 1987. (September 16, 2008) http://books.google.com/books?id=ZxqYKA6ohEoC
• Savage, Candace. “Back Home on the Range.” Canadian Geographic. January/February 2005.

FAQ

1. How close did bison come to extinction?

Bison, also known as American buffalo, experienced a significant decline in population during the 19th century. At one point, it is estimated that there were only 325 bison left in North America. This was due to overhunting and habitat loss. Bison were hunted for their meat, hides, and to make way for cattle ranching. The destruction of their habitat through farming, mining, and railroad construction also contributed to their decline.

2. What efforts were made to save bison?

In the late 1800s, conservationists recognized the plight of the bison and began efforts to save them from extinction. The American Bison Society was founded in 1905 and began breeding bison in captivity. Yellowstone National Park also played a significant role in saving the species, as it was home to one of the only remaining wild bison herds.

3. How did the Endangered Species Act help bison?

The Endangered Species Act, passed in 1973, provided legal protections for bison and their habitat. This helped to prevent further decline in their population and allowed for the expansion of wild bison herds. The act also helped to raise public awareness about the importance of conserving endangered species.

4. What is the current status of bison populations?

Thanks to conservation efforts, the population of bison has rebounded significantly. There are now estimated to be over 500,000 bison in North America, including both wild and captive populations. While this is a significant improvement, bison still face threats from habitat loss and fragmentation.

5. Why are bison important to the ecosystem?

Bison play an important role in maintaining the health of grassland ecosystems. They graze on grasses and other vegetation, which helps to prevent the growth of woody plants and maintain open spaces. Their grazing also helps to improve soil health and promote the growth of other plant species. Additionally, bison are an important part of indigenous cultures and have significant cultural and spiritual value to many people.

6. What can be done to ensure the continued survival of bison?

To ensure the continued survival of bison, it is important to protect their habitat and promote sustainable grazing practices. This includes preserving grasslands and prairies, avoiding overgrazing, and restoring degraded habitats. It is also important to support conservation efforts and raise public awareness about the importance of conserving endangered species.