North American bison were reduced from tens of millions to fewer than a thousand by the late 19th century, and their ongoing recovery raises important questions about habitat, genetics, and individual welfare in managed herds.
Wild bison populations experience welfare challenges from habitat restriction, disease management interventions, and population culling on reserve boundaries. Individual bison in small enclosed reserves cannot perform the wide-ranging movement that characterizes wild behavior. Genetic bottlenecks from near-extinction affect immune function and reproductive success across populations. Conservation approaches that prioritize large connected landscapes, corridor access, and genetic management through inter-herd transfers support both population viability and the welfare of individual animals by allowing more complete expression of natural behaviors.