While no wild bison populations currently exist in Indiana, these large mammals once roamed across the state. The common use of “buffalo” often causes confusion, but the animals historically present in North America, including Indiana, are American Bison.
Bison or Buffalo Clarified
The terms “bison” and “buffalo” are frequently used interchangeably, yet they refer to distinct animals. American Bison are native to North America and Europe, while true buffalo, such as the African Cape buffalo and Asian water buffalo, are found on other continents. Differences lie in their physical characteristics: bison possess a large shoulder hump, a massive head, and thick coats with beards, which buffalo lack. Bison horns are shorter and more pointed, contrasting with the longer, often curved horns of buffalo. In North America, “buffalo” almost always refers to the American Bison, the United States’ national mammal.
Indiana’s Historical Bison
American Bison were once an integral part of Indiana’s ecosystem, particularly in its prairies and open woodlands. Historical accounts from the 1600s and 1700s detail sightings across the state, from northern flats to southern hills. They created prominent pathways, such as the “Buffalo Trace,” which stretched from Illinois prairies to Kentucky salt licks. This network of trails, compacted by centuries of bison movement, became important routes for early settlers.
The disappearance of wild bison from Indiana was a gradual process, primarily occurring during the 18th and 19th centuries. The last known wild bison in Indiana was killed near French Lick in 1830. Their extirpation was due to westward expansion, leading to significant habitat loss as prairies were converted to agricultural land. Unregulated hunting for meat and hides also contributed to their decline.
Where Bison Are Found Today in Indiana
While wild herds are no longer present, bison can be observed in managed populations across Indiana. The Nature Conservancy’s Kankakee Sands in Newton County is home to a herd of bison, reintroduced in 2016 to aid in prairie restoration. These bison serve as a conservation tool, grazing on grasses to promote plant diversity and improve habitat for various wildlife. Visitors can view these animals from designated areas within the preserve.
Other locations offer opportunities to see bison in contained environments. Ouabache State Park near Bluffton maintains an enclosed 25-acre range that has housed bison since at least 1933. Several private farms across the state, such as Cook’s Bison Ranch in Wolcottville, Broken Wagon Bison near Hobart, and Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve near Fremont, also raise bison. These operations provide tours for public observation and learning, though these are managed herds and not free-ranging wild populations.