Wild buffalo and bison continue to exist in various parts of the world, though their populations and conservation statuses differ significantly. There is often confusion surrounding the terms “buffalo” and “bison,” which refer to distinct animals with unique characteristics and geographical distributions. Understanding these differences helps clarify where these animals can be found today.
Clarifying the Terminology: Buffalo vs. Bison
The terms “buffalo” and “bison” are often used interchangeably, but they refer to two different groups of bovids. True buffalo species, such as the African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and the Asian Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee for wild forms), are native to Africa and Asia. In contrast, bison are found in North America and Europe, with the American Bison (Bison bison) being the most well-known. Both are members of the Bovidae family, but they are not closely related.
Physical characteristics distinguish them. American Bison possess a prominent hump on their shoulders, a large head, a thick, shaggy coat, shorter, pointed horns, and a noticeable beard. Conversely, true buffalo species lack this shoulder hump, have smoother coats, and feature longer, curved horns.
The common American usage of “buffalo” for the American Bison is a historical misnomer. Early European explorers, unfamiliar with the native species, applied the term because the animals resembled true buffalo from Africa and Asia. Despite this historical inaccuracy, the name “buffalo” has persisted for the American Bison.
Wild Buffalo Populations Across the Globe
The African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) inhabits diverse environments across sub-Saharan Africa, including savannas and forests. These animals are highly social, typically living in large herds. The African Buffalo is currently listed as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN, with savanna-type subspecies populations estimated at around 513,000 individuals.
The wild Asian Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee) is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Its wild populations are significantly smaller and face greater threats. This species has been listed as “Endangered” by the IUCN since 1986, with fewer than 4,000 individuals remaining globally, most residing in India.
The Resurgence of Wild American Bison
The American Bison (Bison bison) once roamed vast areas of North America, with historical estimates suggesting populations between 30 to 60 million animals before the 19th century. A rapid decline occurred during the 1800s due to extensive commercial hunting, railroad expansion, habitat loss, competition with domestic livestock, and introduced diseases. By the late 19th century, the total population plummeted to 541 animals across North America, with only a few hundred remaining in the United States.
Recovery began through dedicated conservation efforts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Organizations like the American Bison Society, founded in 1905 with support from Theodore Roosevelt and the Bronx Zoo, helped prevent their disappearance. Early reintroduction programs established new herds in protected areas, including Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota and the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.
Today, American Bison have made a comeback. Approximately 31,000 wild or free-ranging bison exist in North America, though only about 15,000 are considered truly free-range, not primarily confined by fencing. When commercial herds are included, the total population in the United States is around 500,000. These populations are found in national parks, state parks, and tribal lands across states like Montana, South Dakota, Utah, and Oklahoma, as well as in parts of Canada and Mexico.
Protecting These Iconic Animals
Ongoing conservation efforts are important for the long-term survival of both true buffalo species and American Bison. For African Buffalo, protection is largely maintained through their presence within national parks and reserves. These protected areas help manage their habitats and mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
Wild Asian Water Buffalo face severe challenges. Conservation initiatives include designating specific reserves, such as the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in Nepal, to safeguard their limited populations. Efforts also focus on anti-poaching measures, raising awareness within local communities, and translocating individuals to new habitats to counter threats like habitat degradation and hybridization with domestic buffalo.
For the American Bison, conservation involves expanding existing herds and reintroducing them to new landscapes, often in collaboration with Indigenous communities who hold deep cultural ties to the species. Managing genetic diversity is an important aspect, ensuring the purity of wild bison populations by minimizing the historical introgression of cattle genes.