ANIMAL HIGHLIGHT

The Bison is a large bovine. Of the two surviving species, the American Bison is found only in North America. Although colloquially referred to as a Buffalo in the United States and Canada, it is only distantly related to the true Water Buffalo. The North American species is composed of two subspecies, the Plains Bison, and Wood Bison. 

American bison are known for living in the Great Plains, but formerly had a much larger range, including much of the eastern United States and parts of Mexico. Both species were hunted close to extinction during the 19th and 20th centuries, but have since rebounded. The American Plains bison is no longer listed as endangered. Genetically pure B. b. bison currently number only about 20,000, separated into fragmented herds—all of which require active conservation measures. 

The wood bison is on the endangered species list in Canada and is listed as threatened in the United States, though numerous attempts have been made by ranchers to have it entirely removed from the Endangered Species List.