North American Bison

Conserving the North American bison

Dr. Peter Gogan of the USGS became involved in studies of the demographics of Yellowstone bison relative to management issues in 1997 in collaboration with biologists from Yellowstone National Park, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and the Montana Department of Livestock. His particular focus was assessing Yellowstone bison population dynamics which included collecting samples for genetic analysis. He also directed a radio-telemetry study of movements of Yellowstone bison within the park and coordinated a number of other studies of Yellowstone bison by university researchers.

This summer the Department of the Interior released a comprehensive report on bison conservation and management that reaffirms the commitment to work with states, tribes and other partners to promote the restoration of bison to appropriate and well-managed levels on public and tribal lands. Dr. Gogan serves on the DOI Bison Working Group.

When European settlers first arrived in North America, the plains bison population was estimated at about 40 million animals. By the late 19th century, there were approximately 25 bison left in the wild

Since that time, Interior has played a significant role in saving the North American bison from extinction, stabilizing its population, and protecting and promoting the species’ genetic diversity. Interior lands now support 17 bison herds in 12 states for a total of approximately 10,000 bison over 4.6 million acres of Interior and adjacent lands, accounting for one third of all bison managed for conservation in North America.

Photo credit: Paul Cross, USGS

Location: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA