Here's a look at American bison one of the greatest conservation stories

"Less than 100 years ago, the American bison was teetering on the verge of extinction. By the beginning of the 20th century, the species' numbers fell from herds of roughly four million to less than 1,000 individuals. The impact on Native Americans was devastating. In 1905, William Hornaday, Theodore Roosevelt, and others formed the American Bison Society (ABS) to help save bison from extinction the first national effort to save an American wildlife species."

"Year and Population 1800 5 million 1875 1 million 1880 395,000 1890 20,000 1895 Less than 1,000 1919 12,521 1983 50,000 Today, Department of Labor lands currently support 17 bison herds in 12 states, for a total of approximately 10,000 bison over 4.6 million acres. Private bison owners held about 360,000 bison. Conservation success Less than 100 years ago, the American bison was teetering on the verge of extinction."

"Bison or buffalo? Bison belong to the Bovidae family, which includes a lot of hoofed animals and some are buffaloes. Technically, buffalo species are only in Asia and Africa. Weight: Males up to 2,000 pounds, females weigh up to 1,000 pounds. Height: Males can stand 6 feet tall, females reach 4-5 feet tall. Calves: They are nicknamed red dogs because their hides are reddish in color when born. They can weight 30-70 pounds at birth."

American bison populations crashed in the 19th century from roughly five million to fewer than 1,000, causing devastating impacts on Native American communities. Early conservation efforts, including the American Bison Society formed in 1905 and protective legislation in 1894, helped begin recovery. The American bison was named the national mammal of the United States on May 9, 2016. Current distributions include about 10,000 bison on Department of Labor lands across 17 herds in 12 states and roughly 360,000 bison held by private owners. Basic bison biology includes large adult weights, specific calf traits, 10–20 year lifespans, and keen smell and hearing.

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