Plains Bison

Bison, symbolic animals of the Great Plains, are often mistakenly called buffaloes. By any name, they are formidable beasts and the heaviest land animals in North America. In the wild, these incredible herbivores can live an average of 12 to 20 years.

Bison once covered the Great Plains and much of North America, and were critically important to Plains Indian societies. During the 19th century, settlers killed some 50 million bison for food, sport, and to deprive Native Americans of their most important natural asset. The once enormous herds were reduced to only a few hundred animals. 

Currently, Riding Mountain National Park in central Manitoba is home to a captive herd of plains bison that were introduced into the area after decades of absence. Their re-introduction is just one step in restoring and protecting the prairie ecosystem. The approximately 30 bison that roam the enclosure today are descendants of a small group brought from Elk Island National Park.