Wildlife

Bison Restoration and Prairie Ecosystem Welfare

The restoration of American bison to prairie ecosystems reconnects a keystone species with its habitat and provides welfare benefits through natural behavior expression.

Key Facts

American bison were reduced from 30-60 million to under 1,000 by 1890 through market hunting
Current population is approximately 500,000 with most in private commercial herds
Bison shape prairie ecosystems through grazing patterns, wallowing, and seed dispersal
Tribal nations including the InterTribal Buffalo Council are leading bison restoration efforts
Ecological restoration projects return bison to prairie reserves allowing natural behavior and migration

Welfare Considerations

Bison in free-ranging restoration settings express natural behaviors including wallowing, migration, and complex social organization within large herds — welfare outcomes impossible in conventional livestock confinement. Restored bison populations demonstrate the ecological and welfare benefits of returning native species to suitable habitat. Supporting tribal-led bison restoration honors both wildlife welfare and indigenous cultural relationships with bison.

What You Can Do

Support tribal bison restoration programs through donation and advocacy
Advocate for public land policies that accommodate bison restoration and ranging
Visit bison restoration sites to understand the species in natural contexts
Learn about the cultural and ecological significance of bison to Great Plains indigenous peoples
Oppose policies that remove bison from public lands in favor of cattle grazing