American bison once numbered 60 million and were nearly wiped out, but restoration programs are rebuilding herds on tribal lands and national parks with significant welfare implications.
Restored bison herds face welfare challenges including disease management culling, fencing restrictions preventing natural migration, and social disruption from population management practices. Bison in conservation herds that lack sufficient space may experience chronic stress from inability to engage in natural ranging behavior. Expanding bison range on tribal and conservation lands while developing community-based management plans offers the most promising path to bison welfare at scale.