American bison were reduced from 30 million to fewer than 1,000 in the 19th century, and ongoing conservation efforts must balance population recovery with individual animal welfare.
Wild bison experience welfare challenges that reflect the intersection of conservation and politics. Culling of Yellowstone bison at the park boundary — where they are captured and slaughtered to appease livestock industry concerns — imposes welfare costs on individual animals that belong to a recovering wild population. Fencing and genetic isolation in managed herds limit behavioral expression and natural migration. Supporting tribal and conservation-led restoration efforts that allow bison to roam larger landscapes addresses both population and individual welfare goals.