Bison are present in Oklahoma, roaming across various landscapes within the state. Once near extinction, these animals have made a significant comeback, symbolizing a successful conservation story. Their return to Oklahoma’s prairies highlights their ecological importance and historical heritage.
Bison’s Historical Presence and Return to Oklahoma
Bison once roamed the North American Great Plains in vast herds, with estimates suggesting populations of 30 to 60 million animals before the 19th century, including across what is now Oklahoma. During the 1800s, overhunting, habitat destruction, and government policies aimed at displacing Native American tribes drastically reduced their numbers. By 1889, the population plummeted to just a few hundred individuals.
Conservation efforts began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to save the remaining bison. The American Bison Society, co-founded by William T. Hornaday and Theodore Roosevelt in 1905, played a role in these initiatives. This organization facilitated the reintroduction of bison to protected areas, including a significant event in Oklahoma. In October 1907, 15 bison from the New York Zoological Park (Bronx Zoo) were transported by train and released into the Wichita Mountains, establishing the first federal herd in the state.
Key Locations to Observe Bison in Oklahoma
Oklahoma offers several notable locations where visitors can observe bison. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, located near Lawton in southwestern Oklahoma, is a primary viewing destination. This refuge, encompassing over 59,000 acres, is home to a free-ranging herd of approximately 650 bison, descendants of the original 1907 reintroduction. Visitors can often spot these animals grazing along scenic drives.
Another significant site is the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve near Pawhuska. Managed by The Nature Conservancy, this preserve is the largest protected tract of tallgrass prairie globally, spanning nearly 40,000 acres. It hosts one of the largest bison herds in the country, with numbers exceeding 2,500 animals. A 15-mile driving loop allows visitors to observe the herd. Smaller herds also exist at Woolaroc Ranch, Museum & Wildlife Preserve and on various tribal lands, including a herd managed by the Oklahoma Historical Society near Pawnee and the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes’ herd near Concho.
Ongoing Conservation Efforts
Conservation efforts for bison in Oklahoma focus on maintaining healthy populations and restoring their ecological role. Agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and organizations such as The Nature Conservancy manage herds through practices like genetic monitoring and habitat preservation. At the Wichita Mountains, bison undergo annual roundups for health checks and genetic analysis, ensuring the herd’s vitality.
Bison are considered a keystone species; their grazing, wallowing, and movement shape prairie ecosystems. Their presence promotes plant diversity, aerates soil, and creates microhabitats that benefit other species. Conservation initiatives also involve partnerships with Native American tribes, who are actively engaged in restoring bison to their ancestral lands, reconnecting with the animals’ cultural significance.