Plains Bison | Species

Species
Plains Bison

Species
Plains Bison

Top
Overview
Why They Matter
Threats
What WWF is Doing
How You Can Help
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Overview

Status
Near Threatened
Population
20,504
Scientific Name
Bison bison bison
Weight
701 to 2,000 pounds
Length
7-12 ft.
Habitats
Grasslands

Symbols of strength and determination, bison are Ice Age survivors. Clearing away snow and brush with their massive heads, they weigh up to 2,000 pounds and can run up to 30 miles per hour. Once numbering 30-60 million in North America, their numbers were decimated in a decade as expansion pressed westward. No other species on Earth has declined so quickly. For bison to grow in number, they need freedom to roam.

Places
Northern Great Plains
Habitats
Grasslands

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Bringing the Bison Home

The Oglala Sioux Tribe works with the National Park Service to plan the first tribal national park within the Park System.

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Why They Matter

Historically bison were the dominant grazer on the Northern Great Plains landscape. This dominance shaped the landscape by affecting the pattern and structure of the grasses and vegetation that grew, and it was this vegetation pattern that allowed animals to flourish.

Threats

Population 20,504
Extinction Risk Near Threatened
1. EX
  Extinct
  
  No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died
2. EW
  Extinct in the Wild
  
  Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population
3. CR
  Critically Endangered
  
  Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the Wild
4. EN
  Endangered
  
  Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild
5. VU
  Vulnerable
  
  Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild
6. NT
  Near Threatened
  
  Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future
7. LC
  Least Concern
  
  Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened

What WWF Is Doing

WWF works to provide bison freedom to roam because we know they can once again assume their keystone role in the region. We collaborate with native tribes to establish and grow herds on sacred lands and work with the American Prairie Reserve to bring bison to the northern Montana prairie.

Experts

Matthew Lewis Senior Program Officer, African Species, Species Conservation Program

How You Can Help

Take Action

Tell your members of Congress and President Obama to reject budget proposals that would slash funding for endangered species and tropical forests, clean air and water, and efforts to confront climate change.