North American bison have made a remarkable recovery from near-extinction. Their welfare in both conservation herds and ranching operations raises important questions about their needs.
Bison welfare in managed settings depends on how well their wild nature is respected. They are not domesticated and do not respond well to cattle-style intensive management. Bison in feedlot-type systems with high stocking densities and grain-heavy diets suffer health and welfare consequences. Their social needs require adequate herd size and appropriate sex ratios. Handling for veterinary procedures is extremely stressful and must be minimized and carefully planned to avoid injury to both animals and handlers. Bison given adequate space, appropriate forage, and social complexity show good welfare indicators. The conservation success of bison provides a model for how species recovery can be achieved while maintaining ecological integrity — the welfare of individual bison and the conservation of the species are complementary goals.