American bison have recovered from near-extinction through conservation efforts but face ongoing welfare and management challenges.
Bison conservation welfare involves both individual animals in managed herds and population-level recovery challenges. Individual welfare in well-managed conservation herds is generally good — bison on open range with appropriate herd sizes can express natural grazing, social, and rutting behaviors. The conflict between Yellowstone bison and adjacent ranching interests creates a situation where conservation-priority animals face lethal management for crossing administrative boundaries. Welfare-conscious bison management seeks to expand habitat connectivity, reduce brucellosis transmission risk through improved cattle vaccination, and minimize lethal control while maintaining agricultural coexistence.