Wild Bison Restoration and Welfare on Tribal Lands

How Indigenous-led bison restoration programs support both conservation goals and the welfare of wild bison herds.

Key Facts

American bison were reduced from an estimated 30-60 million to fewer than 1,000 by 1889 through mass slaughter
Today approximately 500,000 bison exist in North America, but most are in private commercial herds
Wild, ecologically functioning bison herds remain limited to a handful of protected areas
Indigenous-led restoration programs prioritize wild behavior expression over production-oriented management
Tribal bison herds are managed for cultural, ecological, and welfare values rather than commercial output

Welfare Considerations

Tribal and Indigenous-led bison restoration represents some of the most welfare-positive management of this species on the continent. In contrast to commercial bison ranching, which applies production-oriented management that compromises natural behavior, tribal programs often prioritize ecological functioning and behavioral freedom. Wild-managed bison can roam extensively, form natural social groups, and engage in full behavioral repertoires including wallowing, migration, and natural foraging. These programs simultaneously serve conservation, cultural sovereignty, and animal welfare goals in ways that commercial systems cannot match.

What You Can Do

Support Indigenous-led bison restoration programs through donations and advocacy
Learn about the cultural and ecological significance of bison to Native American communities
Advocate for public land policies that create larger corridors for ecologically functioning bison herds
Choose bison products from tribal ranches that prioritize welfare and ecological management