American bison were reduced from 30 million to fewer than 1,000 by the late 19th century. Their recovery is a conservation success, but managing modern bison populations requires attention to both ecological and welfare needs.
Bison welfare encompasses the individual welfare of animals in managed herds and reserve populations. Bison are not domesticated animals; their strong flightiness and powerful flight response make conventional cattle handling methods inappropriate and dangerous for both animals and handlers. Low-stress handling using natural movement patterns, appropriate facility design, and minimal human pressure reduces injury and acute stress significantly. In managed conservation herds, regular handling for health monitoring, vaccination, and genetic sampling is necessary but carries welfare costs that skilled, low-stress handling minimises. The welfare of Yellowstone bison involved in brucellosis management decisions, including culling, reflects ongoing tensions between wildlife conservation and agricultural biosecurity interests.