Bison

Before European settlers arrived in North America, it is estimated that there were between 30 and 60 million bison (also known as American buffalo) roaming the plains, grasslands, and forests of the continent. Bison were an essential part of the ecosystem, playing a critical role in shaping the landscape and providing food and materials for many Native American tribes. By the late 1800s, there were fewer than 1,000 individuals remaining. Today, thanks to conservation efforts and captive breeding programs, the population of bison in North America has rebounded to around 500,000.