Wyoming is home to wild bison, animals often colloquially referred to as “buffalo.” These majestic creatures are an enduring symbol of the American West, roaming freely across various landscapes within the state. Their presence is a testament to significant conservation efforts that have brought them back from the brink of extinction.
Bison: Wyoming’s Native Giants
The large, shaggy mammals found in Wyoming are scientifically known as American bison, not true buffalo. While “buffalo” is commonly used due to its historical and cultural significance, actual buffalo species, such as water buffalo and Cape buffalo, are native to Asia and Africa. American bison are the largest land mammals in North America. Males, called bulls, can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and stand 6 feet tall, while females, or cows, typically weigh around 1,000 pounds and reach about 5 feet in height.
Distinctive physical characteristics of bison include a prominent hump over their shoulders, a large head, and a dense coat of dark brown, shaggy fur that is particularly long around their face, head, and forelegs. Both sexes possess short, curved, black horns. These herbivores primarily graze on grasses and sedges, often spending hours each day foraging.
Prime Viewing Locations
Wyoming offers exceptional opportunities to observe wild bison, particularly within its renowned national parks. Yellowstone National Park is home to the largest free-roaming bison herd in the United States, with populations ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 individuals. Within Yellowstone, prime viewing areas include the expansive Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley, where large herds can often be seen grazing. The Madison River area and Fountain Flats are also known for bison sightings.
Grand Teton National Park also provides excellent opportunities to see bison, especially in areas like Antelope Flats near Mormon Row and in the park’s southern sections. Elk Ranch Flats is another location within Grand Teton where bison herds are commonly observed. Beyond the national parks, smaller, managed herds exist in other parts of the state. The Wind River Indian Reservation has seen the reintroduction of bison, and Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis maintains a buffalo pasture. When viewing bison, maintain a safe distance of at least 25 yards (23 meters), as these unpredictable animals can charge quickly and run up to 35 miles per hour. Bison are responsible for more human injuries in Yellowstone than any other animal.
A History of Resurgence
The history of American bison is one of dramatic decline and remarkable resurgence. In the early 19th century, an estimated 30 to 60 million bison roamed North America’s plains. By the late 1800s, their numbers plummeted to fewer than 1,000, with as few as 300 to 541 individuals remaining. This near extinction was primarily driven by commercial hunting for hides and tongues, westward expansion, and deliberate campaigns by the U.S. Army to eliminate the primary food source of Native American tribes. The introduction of bovine diseases from domestic cattle also contributed to their decline.
Yellowstone National Park played a key role in the species’ survival. It was one of the few places where a wild remnant herd persisted, with approximately 25 bison surviving in the Pelican Valley by 1902. Early conservation efforts began in the park, including the purchase of 21 bison from private owners in 1902. These animals were raised at the Lamar Buffalo Ranch and eventually mixed with the park’s wild population. By 1954, the Yellowstone herd had grown to about 1,300 animals.
Today, modern conservation initiatives continue to support bison populations. The Bison Conservation Transfer Program, for instance, relocates Yellowstone bison to Native American tribes, aiding in the establishment and genetic strengthening of tribal herds. This program reduces the need for culling within the park while fostering cultural reconnection with the species. The successful restoration of American bison from near extinction is a significant achievement in wildlife conservation.