In 2016, bison officially became the national mammal of the United States. While people often confuse these critters with buffalo, some important characteristics distinguish the two. Bison are native to North America and have roamed the continent since prehistoric times. In contrast, “true buffalo” are native to Asia and Africa. Most Americans are at least vaguely aware of the bison’s place in American history, but this animal’s tale stretches back way before European colonizers arrived in North America.
Bison served both symbolic and practical purposes for North American Indigenous communities like the Blackfoot, Lakota, Navajo, and Paiute. Parts of the animal were used for everything from food and clothing to tools and shelter. According to the InterTribal Buffalo Council, an organization of Indigenous tribes advocating for the restoration and preservation of the American bison, the animal is a representation of Indigenous peoples’ spirit, “remind[ing] them of how they once lived free and in harmony with nature.”
Despite a history of European colonizers devastating the American bison population, the species still survives today. Conservation efforts have restored wild bison numbers from about 300 to 31,000. Witness the glory of this animal’s return at these five spots throughout the U.S. where you can see wild bison.