American bison were restored from near-extinction and now face management challenges in national parks where their welfare intersects with human safety concerns.
Bison in national parks face welfare challenges from management interventions. Hazing programs to keep bison within park boundaries cause chronic stress. Culls of animals that leave the park involve lethal methods. Brucellosis testing and vaccination requires capture and handling. Despite being one of the great conservation success stories, bison welfare in managed areas deserves greater attention, particularly around capture and hazing methods.